Colombia: Threats Against Monica Roa And Women’s Link Worldwide

Letter from Women's Link Worldwide

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

On the eve of the sixth anniversary of the historic decision that decriminalized abortion in Colombia, threats have escalated against human rights activist Monica Roa and Women’s Link Worldwide where she works as Programs Director. On the evening of May 7, at approximately 6:30 PM an unidentified person shot at the office in Bogotawhere Monica and two Women’s Link Worldwide colleagues were working. The bullet broke the office window security glass above Monica’s head. Fortunately, no one was injured.

Sadly this is not an isolated incident. This scare tactic comes at a time when the work to implement the right to an abortion in Colombia is under fierce attack. Just two months ago on March 1, Women’s Link learned that a criminal complaint had been filed against Monica by one of the country’s highest judicial officials, Ilva Miriam Hoyos, Deputy Procuradora.* To date, the complaint has not been made public.

Subsequently, the pattern of intimidation continued. On April 23, a computer was stolen through a window from the Women’s Link offices. This week’s violence only further affirms the escalating danger.

Women’s Link Worldwide is taking the necessary measures to secure the physical safety of Monica, the organization’s staff, and our office.  We request that the international community speak out NOW against these threats to a courageous human rights defender, our organization, and our efforts to implement a woman’s right to a safe and legal abortion. We also ask that the international community call on the Colombian government to investigate the criminal activity, effectively protect activists, and safeguard reproductive rights.

To donate to our emergency fund for assisting Monica and our efforts to defend the right to an abortion in Colombia, please donate online by clicking here<http://www.womenslinkworldwide.org/wlw/new.php?modo=apoye&lang=en>.

Or send a check to Women’s Link Worldwide at: P.O. Box 415 Northfield, Vermont 05663 USA

Thank you for your support of Monica and Women’s Link Worldwide.  We are most grateful.

Sincerely,

Viviana Waisman
Executive Director

*The Procurador refers to the Inspector General of Colombia, who is in charge of ensuring compliance with the constitution and its jurisprudence, is obligated to ensure the protection of human rights in all state actions, and has disciplinary power over public officials.

Join the Center for Reproductive Rights, AWID and the WHRD-IC and take action!

On the eve of the sixth anniversary of the historic decision that decriminalized abortion in Colombia, threats have escalated against human rights activist Monica Roa and Women’s Link Worldwide where she works as Director of Programs. On the evening of May 7, 2012, at approximately 6:30 PM an unidentified person fired shots at the Women’s Link Worldwide office in Bogota where Monica and two of her colleagues were working. The bullet broke the office window security glass above Monica’s head. Fortunately, no one was injured.

Monica Roa is a widely known human rights defender who, with Women´s Link Worldwide, filed a lawsuit before the Colombian Constitutional Court six years ago that ended the total abortion ban in Colombia by recognizing abortion as a fundamental right in three circumstances. Since such time she has had bodyguard protection (provided by the Ministry of Justice) as a result of numerous threats directed at her through social media, faxes and phone calls with such warnings as “we will put you in heaven”. During this time Women’s Link Worldwide offices also faced a series of break-ins where their computers were stolen.  There is no information at this time about the perpetrators of this crime. The authorities have been contacted but have yet to instigate an investigation into the attack.

Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. This scare tactic comes at a time when the work to implement the right to abortion in Colombia is under fierce attack. Just two months ago on March 1, Women’s Link learned that a criminal complaint had been filed against Monica by one of the country’s highest judicial officials, Ilva Miriam Hoyos, Deputy Procuradora. To date, the complaint has not been made public.

Subsequently, the intimidation continued. On April 24, yet another computer was stolen through a window from the Women’s Link Worldwide Bogota office. This week’s violent attack on the office reveals a pattern of intimidation and presents fear of escalating danger for Monica Roa and her colleagues.

The undersigned women’s rights and human rights organizations condemn these actions and are gravely concerned for the physical security and well-being of Monica Roa and all Women’s Link Worldwide staff. We demand an end to the ongoing harassment and threats against Women’s Link Worldwide and all reproductive rights defenders in Colombia.

The undersigned call on the Colombian authorities to:

1. Carry out an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the events that took place at Women’s Link Worldwide offices in Bogota on the evening of May 7, 2012, with a view to publishing the findings and bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international human rights standards;

2. Make public the criminal complaint filed against Monica Roa so she is able to respond to the allegations against her and exercise her right to a legal defense.

3. Take measures to ensure that government officials or other public figures refrain from further stigmatizing the legitimate work of women human rights defenders in Colombia and, in particular, Monica Roa and Women’s Link Worldwide;

4. Take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical security and well-being of Monica Roa and all staff at Women’s Link Worldwide;

5. Take all appropriate measures to ensure reproductive rights defenders in Colombia are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions; this should include, at a minimum: passing protective legislation, conducting human rights trainings for those charged with the administration of justice, and promoting human rights education about the important role of women human rights defenders  generally and defenders of sexual and reproductive rights in particular.

Join us by sending the above letter to:

S.E. Juan Manuel Santos
Presidente de la República
Cra. 8 No.7-26
Palacio de Nariño
Santafé de Bogotá
Colombia

Ilva Miriam Hoyos,

Deputy Procuradora

Email: quejas@procuraduria.gov.co