US embassy cable - 05BOGOTA5307

UNCLAS BOGOTA 005307 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM, PTER, CO, Human Rts 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR VISITS OFFICE OF COLECTIVO DE ABOGADOS 
 
 1.  On June 1, Ambassador visited the offices of local 
non-governmental organization, Lawyer\'s Collective 
(\"Colectivo de Abogados\"), to express USG support for the 
work of the Colectivo and of human rights defenders in 
Colombia.  The Colectivo de Abogados \"Jose Alvear Restrepo\" 
is a NGO committed to the protection of human rights.  It is 
a member of the International Federation for Human Rights 
(FIDH), the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT) and has 
consultative status at the Organization of American States 
(OAS).  For over 25 years, the organization has represented, 
in national courts and in international supervisory bodies, 
numerous victims of serious violations of human rights. 
 
2.  Ambassador met with Colectivo president Soraya Gutierrez, 
Vice President Reinaldo Villalba, founder Eduardo Carreno and 
3 other staff attorneys.  The visit was prompted by the May 
13 threat received by Soraya Gutierrez in which a package was 
delivered to her home containing a dismembered doll and an 
attached note that read, \"You have a very pretty family, be 
careful not to sacrifice it.\" 
 
3.  During the nearly two hour meeting, Ambassador and 
Colectivo staff discussed recent threats against the Office 
and its members, protection of human rights defenders, the 
justice and peace law, torture, and human rights statistics. 
In response to Ambassador\'s request for help identifying 
recent instances of possible torture, Gutierrez said she 
would provide Embassy with specific information the Colectivo 
has gathered and would encourage new walk-ins to also talk to 
the Embassy.  Ambassador stressed while there is much more to 
do with regard to the human rights situation, there have been 
advances.  Representatives of the Colectivo reiterated their 
strong appreciation for the visit. 
WOOD