URGENT: Yuli Velásquez and Other Water Defenders at Risk

Urgent Action

Colombia: Yuli Velásquez and other defenders attacked

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YULI VELÁSQUEZ AND OTHER ENVIRONMENT DEFENDERS AT GRAVE RISK

Amnesty International is sounding the alarm about continuing attacks on the lives of environment defenders in the Magdalena Medio region of Colombia.

The latest attack targeted Yuli Velásquez, president of FEDEPESAN, a federation of artisanal fishers who seek to protect wetlands, rivers and the right to a healthy environment.

On July 5, two unknown persons approached Yuli on a motorcycle and opened fire. Yuli managed to take cover but the bodyguard granted to her by the National Protection Unit, following previous threats to her life, was shot.

Amnesty International is calling for strengthened protection for Yuli Velásquez and other defenders of FEDEPESAN.

Colombia is the deadliest country in the world to defend land, territory and the environment, according to Global Witness and Frontline Defenders. Amnesty International is concerned that Colombian authorities are failing to respond to threats agaianst defenders and stop an escalation of assassinations.

URGE COLOMBIA TO PROTECT ENDANGERED ENVIRONMENT DEFENDERS!

For further background on this case including letter writing, please read the original Urgent Action and visit our campaign page on Colombia.

Amnesty issued an Urgent Action in June after unidentified attackers shot at four FEDEPESAN members as they were travelling in a motor canoe on the Magdalena River to assess environmental damage.

In March, Amnesty issued an Urgent Action following threats to the lives of environmental defenders working with a number of organizations in Magdalena Medio, including AGUAWIL, CREDHOS, FEDEPU and the Alliance for Colombia Free From Fracking.

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Urgent Action

Colombia: Yuli Velásquez and other defenders attacked

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YULI VELÁSQUEZ AND OTHER ENVIRONMENT DEFENDERS AT GRAVE RISK

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