English News and Press Release on Colombia about Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding and Recovery and Reconstruction; published on 11 Aug 2021 by UN Verification Mission in Colombia
Massacres and Killings of Social Leaders Impede Peace in Colombia: Second Alert
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by Gimena Sánchez-Garzoli
As per our prior December 16 urgent action, below you will find concerning rights situations requiring your attention and action.
Black U.S. Actor and Activist Assaulted by Police in Cartagena (Bolívar)
On December 15, police officers in Cartagena, Bolívar department assaulted Kendrick Sampson a Black U.S. actor and Black Lives Matter Activist. A video of the incident circulated through social media, which showed a uniformed officer harassing Kendrick, punching him in the face, and pulling a gun on him. The police officers then withheld Kendrick’s documents and detained him at a police station for several hours.
What’s new? Crime and violence have simmered along the lengthy Colombian-Venezuelan frontier for decades. But the regional spillover of Venezuela’s political conflict and economic collapse has caused ties between the two states to fray as well, amid border closures, a migrant exodus and rival military exercises.
Why does it matter? Numerous armed groups clash with one another and harm citizens along a border marked by abundant coca crops and informal crossings. High bilateral tensions could spur escalating border hostilities while perpetuating the mistreatment of migrants and refugees whose movements have been restricted by COVID-19.
What should be done? Colombian and Venezuelan authorities should urgently establish communication channels to resolve violent incidents along the border, possibly with international backing. They should reopen formal border crossings as planned, but also increase humanitarian aid to help ensure that migrants and refugees are healthy and can m