Letter from Canadian unions, human rights and political organisations to Colombian Judge re Liliany Obando

24th May 2011

Liliany Obando

The following is a letter of protest signed by numerous Canadian trade union, political and human rights organisations addressed to the Colombian judge responsible in the case of political prisoner, Liliany Obando. The same letter in Spanish is shown below the English version.

Canada, 25 April 2011

CRIMINAL JUDGE 9 OF THE SPECIALIZED CIRCUIT

SUPERIOR COURT OF BOGOTA

Bogotá, D. E.

Hand-delivered

RAD. 09-009 2009-00046

AGAINST LILIANY PATRICIA OBANDO VILLOTA

Dear Sirs:

We, political, trade union and human rights organizations in Canada, have observed with a profound sense of frustration and concern how throughout the long process of her trial, Liliany Obando’s basic and procedural rights have been violated, among which it is worth recalling: her preventive detention without proof and in violation of non bis in idem for the crimes of rebellion and the administration of resources related to terrorist activities; the delay in the preliminary stage of her trial; the repeated denials of her request for house arrest on the grounds of being a single mother and head of the family; the current denial of her immediate release upon the expiration of the terms provided under the law and her legal recourse to a Habeas Corpus request for release based on her illegal detention.

More than two years have passed since Prosecutor 39 judged the merits of the summary after exhausting the instruction phase, without those approved to give declarations abroad having been formally summoned to give their declarations before the competent Colombian authority in Canada, and it is our understanding that the delay in receiving these declarations is not due to force majeur but to procedures and delays of a bureaucratic nature.

We note with consternation that because of bureaucracy, inefficiency, and surely reasons unrelated to the exercise of the law, the finalization of the public hearing continues to be postponed, keeping Liliany deprived of her freedom indefinitely.

The signatory organizations unanimously support the request for immediate release and for Habeas Corpus put forward by the legal representative and defence team of Liliany Obando and further respectfully request of the honourable court and competent authorities that the denial of these requests that are in compliance with the law and the rights of the accused be reviewed.

Signed,

Ontario Secondary School Teacher’s Federation- OSSTF

The Latin American Canadian Solidarity Association, LACASA London, On

Carlos Flores on behalf of Victoria Central America Support Committee- CASC., Victoria, BC

Garry Leech- Colombia Journal, Journalist, Author and Editor

James J. Brittain, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia

Judith J. Leidl, Faculty, Art Department, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia

Ann Marie Powers, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia

Jim Sacouman, Professor, Department of Sociology, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia

Barbara Moore, Department of Sociology, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia

Anna Saroli, Department of Languages and Literatures, Acadia University

David Heap. Associate Professor, French Studies and Linguistic, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario

Windsor Peace Coalition, Windsor, On

Windsor Liliany Obando Solidarity Committee- WLOSC, Windsor, On

Hameed Tavakoli/ Pauline Medine, London, Ontario

Canadá, abril 25, 2011

Señores,

JUEZ 9 PENAL DEL CIRCUITO ESPECIALIZADO

TRIBUNAL SUPERIOR DE BOGOTA

Bogotá, D. E.

E. S. D.

RAD. 09-009 2009- 00046

CONTRA LILIANY PATRICIA OBANDO VILLOTA

Nosotros, organizaciones políticas, sindicales y de derechos humanos en Canadá, hemos venido observado con profundo sentimiento de frustración y preocupación como, a lo largo del proceso, a Liliany Obando se le han venido violando sus derechos básicos y procesales, entre los cuales vale la pena recordar su detención preventiva por delitos de rebelión y administración de recursos relacionados con actividades terroristas, sin pruebas y violando el non bis in idem, el retardo en la fase preliminar del proceso, las sucesivas negaciones a la solicitud de arresto domiciliario en calidad de madre soltera y cabeza de familia, la actual negación de su libertad inmediata por vencimiento de los términos tal como es previsto por la ley y el recurso legal de Habeas Corpus solicitando su libertad y basado en su detención ilegal.

Desde que la fiscal 39 calificara el merito del sumario, una vez agotada la etapa instructiva, han pasado más de dos años sin que los declarantes aprobados en el exterior, hallan sido formalmente citados para efecto de rendir sus respectivas declaraciones ante la autoridad Colombiana competente en Canadá y entendemos que dicho retraso en la toma de estas declaraciones no responde a causas de fuerza mayor sino a trámites y retardos de orden burocrático.

Vemos con consternación que, por la burocracia, la ineficiencia y seguramente por razones ajenas al ejercicio del derecho, se siga posponiendo la finalización de la audiencia publica y manteniendo a Liliany Obando privada de la libertad indefinidamente.

Las organizaciones firmantes apoyamos de forma unánime la solicitud de libertad inmediata y el Habeas Corpus adelantado por el apoderado legal y el quipo de la defensa de Liliany Obando y solicitamos comedidamente al honorable tribunal y a las autoridades competentes que se revise la negación de dichas solicitudes ya que se ajustan a la ley y a los derechos de la sindicada.

Los abajo firmantes,