Mr. Marcel Lebleu
Ambassador of Canada in Colombia
Embassy of Canada in Colombia
Carrera 7 #114-33
Bogotá, Colombia


Dear Ambassador Lebleu,

I am writing to express my grave concern regarding the multiple reports of excessive force, extrajudicial detention, and acts of sexual violence on the part of the Colombian National Police and other security forces during the demonstrations currently taking place in Bogotá, Cali, Medellín and other major Colombian cities.

To date, multiple human rights organizations and local civil rights defenders have chronicled an excess of 26 deaths, 89 forced disappearances, 700 instances of arbitrary detention and 11 acts of sexual violence by state security forces.  These groups have also documented multiple instances of police attacks on peaceful protesters, and the use of live ammunition against unarmed demonstrators.

These abuses of power on the part of Colombian security forces have been the subject of public condemnation and expressions of concern by multiple nations and international human rights bodies: the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the European Union, the United States, and the Republics of Argentina, and Chile have all called for a reduction in violence, additional restraint on the part of state security forces, and for a thorough investigation of alleged human rights violations.

As a Canadian citizen, I am heartened to see that Canada has followed the lead of the nations above in publicly expressing concern regarding the disproportionate use of force against protesters. However, this is far from enough. I would like to respectfully call on you, in your capacity as Canadian Ambassador to Colombia, to take this message directly to the Colombian Minister of Defense, the Colombian Minister of External Affairs, and the President of Colombia, communicate Canada’s condemnation of extrajudicial violence expressly on the part of state security forces, and formally call on Colombian authorities to ensure that the human rights of protesters are upheld, in accordance with the rule of law.

Canada has been an active and enthusiastic participant in supporting an emerging yet fragile peace in a post-conflict Colombia. Part and parcel of this support is to ensure that Colombians can exercise their right to protest, and that state perpetrators of human rights abuses are held to account. I would like to urge to you to please continue this tradition of Canadian support for democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, and lend Canada’s voice to the many other nations speaking out meaningfully against the ongoing repression of the Colombian people.

Sincerely,

[Name]
[City, Province]

c.c. the Honourable Marc Garneau, PC, MP

Minister of Foreign Affairs  

c.c. the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, PC, MP

Prime Minister of Canada

c.c. the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, PC, MP

Deputy Prime Minister of Canada

C.C. the Honourable Michael David Chong, PC, MP

Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs

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Emails:

bgota@international.gc.ca (Ambassador)

marc.garneau@parl.gc.ca (Minister of Foreign Affairs)

pm@pm.gc.ca (Prime Minister)

Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca (Deputy PM)

michael.chong@parl.gc.ca  (Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs)