Journalist threatened; wishes to leave Colombia

(RSF/IFEX) – On 6 October 1997, Ricardo Velez, cameraman for the television program “Noticiero 12:30”, which is broadcast on the television station Cadena A, was assaulted by an armed individual who threatened him in the street and ordered him to leave Colombia. Velez has been threatened several times, allegedly by military officials, since August 1996, […]

(RSF/IFEX) – On 6 October 1997, Ricardo Velez, cameraman for the
television program “Noticiero 12:30”, which is broadcast on the
television station Cadena A, was assaulted by an armed individual
who threatened him in the street and ordered him to leave
Colombia.

Velez has been threatened several times, allegedly by military
officials, since August 1996, when he had filmed a demonstration
by about 10,000 cocoa producers in the department of Caqueta, in
southern Colombia. During this report, Velez claimed to have been
violently beaten by the military.

On 8 October, Velez said that he wanted to leave Colombia with
his family, under the protection of the International Red Cross,
to go into exile in another country.

Recommended Action

His Excellency Ernesto Samper Pizano

President of the Republic

Palacio de Narino

Carrera 8, No. 7-26

Santafe de Bogota, Colombia

Fax: +57 1 289 3377 / 286 7434 / 286 7324/ 287 7937 / 284 2186

e-mail: esamper@presidencia.gov.co

Dr. Horacio Serpa Uribe

Minister of Interior

Ministry of Interior

Carrera 8, No.8-09, Piso 2

Santafe de Bogota, Colombia

Fax: +57 1 286 6524 / 286 0485 / 251 5884
Dr. Juan Carlos Esguerra Portocarrero

Minister of National Defence

Ministry of National Defence

Avenida Eldorado CAN – Carrera 52

Santafe de Bogota, Colombia

Fax: +57 1 222 1874
Copies to:
Dr. Carlos Vicente de Roux

Presidential Advisor on Human Rights

Palacio de Narino

Santafe de Bogota, Colombia

Fax: +57 1 3371 13 51
Dr. Jose Fernando Castro Caycedo

Ombudsman of Colombia

Calle 55, No. 10-46

Bogota, Colombia

Fax: +57 1 346 3339 / 346 2947 / 346 1225