Urgent Action: Abducted Afro-Colombian Activists

CoDevelopment Canada is deeply concerned about the forced disappearance on November 28 of two Afro-Colombian community representatives who work closely with our partner NOMADESC in Colombia.

Abencio Caicedo and Edinson Valencia have been missing since November 28 when they left their homes in the community of Yurumanguí in Buenaventura, southwestern Colombia. Caicedo is a member of the village council, while Valencia is a representative of APONURY, an Afro-Colombian rights organization active in communities along the Yurumanguí river. Both also work with the local Committee for Collective Reparations, seeking redress for communities affected by Colombia’s armed conflict.

NOMADESC provides human rights accompaniment and training for communities in the region affected by violence.

In Buenaventura, Colombia’s principal Pacific port, violence has increased over the past decade as communities are displaced by port expansion, and drug cartels battle for control of a lucrative export route.

While it is still not known who abducted the two activists, the Colombian Truth Commission believes it may be related to their work against the port expansion, illegal mining and drug cultivation in the region.

Please join us in calling on Colombia authorities to do all they can to ensure that Abencio Caicedo and Edinson Valencia are released alive.

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Urgent Action: Threats Against NOMADESC Members

CoDevelopment Canada is concerned by escalating threats and surveillance against Colombian partner NOMADESC during the past month.

NOMADESC, a Cali-based Human Rights organization that accompanies labour, afro-Colombian, indigenous and campesino organizations in southwestern Colombia, has provided legal advice and support for families of people killed, disappeared or detained by security forces during the national general strike that began in late April this year.

Since that time NOMADESC and its personnel are subject to a series of acts of intimidation and illegal surveillance that has escalated since late October.  We are concerned that this act put both NOMADESC’s personnel and the population they serve at greater risk.

Please join us in writing to Colombian President Ivan Duque and Attorney General Francisco Barbosa, calling on Colombian authorities to ensure the safety of NOMADESC personnel and to investigate police involvement in illegal surveillance of the organization.

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Urgent Action: Gildan Activewear

Canada’s Gildan Activewear must comply with Honduran Labour Law!

Support CoDev partner the Honduran Women’s Collective and join us in urging Gildan Activewear to comply with a court order to reinstate fired sweatshop workers.

A Honduran court ruled last June that Canadian corporation Gildan Activewear must reinstate five workers fired four years ago from its San Miguel factory, located in a northern Honduras Free trade zone.  Gildan illegally fired the workers In 2017 after they developed occupational musculoskeletal damage that affected their ability to sew garments for export to the US and Canada.  The workers, members of the Honduran Women’s Collective (CODEMUH), challenged their dismissal, winning the support of the Honduran Social Security Institute, which certified their disabilities as work-related and recommended transfer to different duties at the factory. When Gildan refused to comply, the workers challenged the Canadian company in court. Despite the June court ruling that orders Gildan to reinstate the workers, the company refuses to comply.

Join us in writing to Gildan Activewear Executives in Canada and Honduras to urge them to obey the law and reinstate the fired women.

PREVIEW THE LETTER, AND TAKE ACTION BELOW!

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