Alfamir Castillo’s son was murdered by the Colombian army on 8 February 2008. Darvey, at just 23 years old, was killed along with his friend Alex, in a ‘false positive extra-judicial execution’. This term is used in Columbia when the army kills civilians and then falsely claims them as fallen guerilla fighters to seek reward.
Berenice Celeita, Director of human rights charity Nomadesc, explains ‘The more high ranking the military officer, the higher the level of danger to the victims. That is one aspect of the mechanisms of impunity in Colombia: the intimidation and murder of witnesses.’
Last year, seven soldiers were convicted of the murders. Since the court case began in 2010, Alfamir, President of the Women Sugar Cane Cutters Committee, and her family have been subject to persecution, attacks and repeated death threats. This situation has left them in a permanent state of terror.
War on Want is campaigning for the Colombian government to take immediate action to protect the lives of Alfamir and her family and they urge you to write to the Colombian embassy in the UK.
Read the update from War on Want following recent death threats.
#230 Struggles for Truth ● The Arab Spring 10 years on ● The origins and legacies of US conspiracy theories ● The limits of scientific evidence in climate activism ● Student struggles around the world ● The political power of branding ● Celebrating Marcus Rashford ● ‘Cancelling’ Simon Hedges ● Latest book reviews ● And much more!
And you choose how much to pay for your subscription...
Siobhán McGuirk and Adienne Pine's edited volume is a powerful indictment of the modern migration complex writes Nico Vaccari
The uprisings against police brutality that swept across Nigeria must be contextualised within the country’s colonial history, argues Kehinde Alonge
Outside the media fanfare surrounding the recent wave of university-based militancy, one community's fight against developers goes on. Robert Firth reports
Conspiracy theories aren’t the preserve of a minority – they lie at the heart of US politics, argues Thomas Konda
From climate change to the perils of the information era, the collection powerfully explores the struggles facing contemporary teenagers, writes Jordana Belaiche
Hilary Wainwright remembers friend and mentor to many, Leo Panitch, who died on December 19, 2020