Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union following the violent death of Mr Edwin Legarda, husband of Ms Aida Quilcué, an indigenous rights activist
- On: 19.12.2008
The EU expresses its serious concern following the violent death of Mr Edwin Legarda, the partner of Ms Aida Quilcué, leader of the Indigenous Regional Council of Cauca (CRIC).
The EU takes note of the communiqué published by the Colombian Ministry of Defence, which acknowledges that troops of the Colombian national army opened fire on the vehicle that Mr Legarda was driving on a road in the Department of Cauca and states the Colombian authorities' intention of determining the circumstances in which these events occurred.
The EU calls upon the Colombian authorities to continue their efforts to ensure that all possible light is rapidly shed on the exact circumstances of Mr Legarda's death and that those responsible are tried and punished.
Associating itself with the recommendations made by the United Nations in Colombia, it calls on the authorities to apply appropriate mechanisms to guarantee the protection of the leaders and organisations defending indigenous rights in the Department of Cauca and in the rest of the country. More generally, the UE calls on the Colombian authorities to ensure the protection of human rights defenders in Colombia and assume the responsibilities incumbent on States in the context of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.
It offers Ms Quilcué and her family the expression of its deepest sympathy and solidarity.
- Updated: 30.12.2008
