Rapport intérimaire - Rapport No. 214, Mars 1982

1. 454. The complaint is contained in a communication from the Permanent Congress of Trade Union Unity of Latin American Workers dated 11 January 1982. The Government replied by a communication dated 25 January 1982.
2. 455. Colombia has ratified the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87), and the light to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98)

A. The complainant's allegations

1. 456. In its communication dated 11 January 1982 the Permanent Congress of Trade Union Unity of Latin American Workers alleges the murder of Luis Javier Cifuentes, trade union leader of the Colombian Tobacco Company, accusing the Government of responsibility for this murder.

B. The Government's reply

1. 457. In its communication dated 25 January 1982 the Government states that the competent authorities have already commenced the inquiry into the death of Mr. Luis Javier Cifuentes, which seems to have occurred in the course of acts committed in the context of the situation of growing insecurity which ha been brought about in the city of Medellín by subversive groups and common law delinquents.
2. 458. The Government adds that, as soon as more specific information is available, it will report thereon and points out that, nevertheless, the secrecy of the inquiry procedure and the principle of separation, of the various branches of the public power must be respected.

C. The Committee's conclusions

1. 459. The Committee notes the Government's statements relating to the allegation concerning the murder of Mr. Luis Javier Cifuentes, trade union leader of the Colombian Tobacco Company and, in particular, that the competent authorities have commenced the corresponding inquiry. The Committee also notes that when more specific information is available to it the Government will report thereon. In these circumstances, since it does not have at its disposal sufficient elements to enable it to come to any conclusion on this allegation, the Committee is deeply shocked by the death of the trade union leader, Luis Javier Cifuentes, and urges the Government to inform it of the results of the inquiry which has been undertaken in this connection.