Over the years, Education International has condemned the violations of teachers’ human and trade union rights in Colombia, which continue with impunity. EI’s affiliate, the Colombian Federation of Educators (FECODE), has been the hardest hit. Over the last 20 years, 968 of its members have been assassinated, and significant violence has been directed at its affiliated organisations.
Most of the persecuted teachers are social activists and their role within the unions goes beyond simple labour demands. They have openly criticised the policy of deregulation and commodification of public education, which has been in place since the end of the 1990s in Colombia. Progressive cuts have damaged the quality of – and access to – education and decreased the status of teachers.
FECODE and EI have publicly denounced the killings, demanding that Colombian authorities guarantee free exercise of trade union activities, that they ensure the safety of trade unionists and undertake all necessary investigations to break the chain of impunity that typically characterises the murder of teachers and trade unionists. EI has supplied information to the International Labour Organisation, the International Trade Union Confederation and major human rights organisations about the continued killing of teacher unionists.
Despite the protection programme enacted by the Colombian authorities, teachers and trade unionists continue to be targeted by paramilitary groups, demobilised squads, armed guerrilla and drug traffickers. If FECODE acknowledges that important legislation has been adopted in 2010 and recently in 2011 to protect the lives of teacher unionists, the lack of implementation and awareness by public officers is blatant.
EI campaign to free Miguel Ángel Beltran
EI conducted a successful campaign in support of Miguel Ángel Beltrán, a Colombian professor and trade unionist, imprisoned in 2009 for his criticism of former Uribe government and its neoliberal reforms in public universities. Beltrán was jailed for two years, during which he suffered torture and ill-treatment.
EI mobilised international solidarity among its member organisations to campaign for the release of Prof. Beltrán. Actions included the launch of a joint appeal for action to send protest letters to the Colombian government, and the publication of news items and articles following up on Beltrán’s case. Beltrán was finally released on 7 June 2011 and moved to Argentina with his family.
Moreover, during the Higher Education Conference in September 2012 in Buenos Aires, a letter of solidarity with Prof. Beltrán, was issued and signed by all participants. The EI letter of solidarity was seeking to obtain extra time for Prof. Beltrán to continue his current academic work outside Colombia, until the authorities can offer sufficient guarantees for the protection of his life in his native country.
The petition was successful as Prof. Beltran has obtained a grant to continue its academic work in England, together with his wife and 2 year-old child. Prof. Beltrán’s case is a good example to illustrate EI’s work in mobilising international solidarity and support to defending human and trade union rights.