A delegation of trade unionists based in northwest England visited Colombia between 18 and 23 July, the latest Justice for Colombia delegation to the country. The main aim of the visit was to develop campaigning on core issues of peace, human rights, trade unionism and social justice in northwest England, where Justice for Colombia North West has organised events, meetings and other activities in support of JFC’s work for a number of years. The seven delegates represented three trade unions, UNISON, the NEU and the POA, each of which have a long record of supporting and working alongside JFC in important areas of campaign focus.
While in Bogota, the delegation met with several trade unions, a particularly relevant focus of the delegation. Core issues in the Colombian trade union movement include support for the progressive government’s social reforms agenda, which seeks to strengthen worker rights and conditions around areas such as overtime pay, secure contracts and across the informal sector. However, the labour reform, which was drafted in consulation with trade unions, faces strong opposition from pro-business sectors in congress. Trade unions also discussed ongoing efforts to end anti-union stigmatisation and violence, advance peacebuilding and increase the participation within union structures of women and young people. As well as the CUT trade union federation, delegates met with the following union organisations: FECODE (education), USO (oil industry), FENSUAGRO (agriculture), Memoria Viva (security), UTA (prison guards), REDSIPAZ (state institutions related to peacebuilding) and SINTRAUNAL (university staff).
The delegation also met with human rights organisations including the Permanent Committee on Human Rights (CPDH) and Links of Dignity, both of which have worked closely with JFC for several years. They highlighted the importance of ongoing international support for the government’s Total Peace initiative which seeks negotiations with armed groups in order to reduce the violence that continues impacting many communities, particuarly in regions historically affected by conflict and state abandonment. The talks have progressed in some places, but elsewhere face major challenges. Killings of social activists and former guerrillas still continue at an alarming rate.
JFC’s campaign focus on supporting full implementation of the 2016 peace agreement, which has experienced a number of difficulties, saw the delegation visit the ASOCUNT collective project in Usme, a municipality to the south of Bogota. Since they entered the peace process, the former guerrillas based here have worked with local community groups in developing children’s workshops and reconciliation activities. They are also growing crops that will provide for residents and earn livelihoods. One of the delegation highlights was a performance by children at the Usme children’s orchestra who showed off their musical talent.
Additionally, the delegation went to Yotoco in the Valle del Cauca department, where they met former guerrillas now producing artisanal coffee for market, another example of a collective project developed under the terms of the peace agreement. As well as tasting a wide range of coffees, the delegates took a tour of the farm, situated on a mountainside, and spoke to the baristas who are involved in the project. They have joined the FEMNCAFE association of independent coffee growers, which has allowed them to establish their own market by bypassing the monopolistic major Colombian coffee federation.
Also in Valle del Cauca, the delegation met young prisoners detained at Palmira Prison over their particaption in the 2021 protests against Colombia’s hard-right government that was then in office. Some of these youngsters have spent three years in prison despite a lack of strong evidence in their cases, with human rights groups working to reach a legal resolution that can secure their release. It was the second time a JFC delegation has met the young men, following a previous visit to the prison in April 2023, and they emphasised the important international support they have received while incarcerated.
Overall, it was a successful delegation which continues the strong tradition of international solidarity in the northwest of England. JFC would like to thank everybody who met with us in Colombia, as well as to the delegates themselves and their unions.