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Prosecutor Removed in Baseless Investigation of Detained Colombian Activist
  Ivan Cepeda  Demand Release of Detained Colombian Activist (12/02/08)
 Audio File: National Colombian Radio interview with Andrew Hudson (Español - 9/12/08) Andrew Hudson re President Uribe on Noticias Uno (11/15/07) (Español)
Audio File: Radio Pacifica interview with HRF re President Bush's trip to Colombia (03/13/07)
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Principe Gabriel González
Principe Gabriel González is Regional Coordinator of the independent human rights organization, the Political Prisoners Solidarity Committee (Fundacion Comité de Solidaridad con los Presos Políticos (FCSPP)), and was imprisoned for over one year. From January 4, 2006 to April 4, 2007 he was detained in Bucaramanga, Santander department, falsely accused of rebellion and of being in charge of an urban militia force. The case against Principe Gabriel was extremely weak. Both of the witnesses in the case were allegedly former guerilla members and asserted that Principe Gabriel was the commander of an urban militia force linked to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Yet one was unable to physically identify or even name Principe Gabriel before he was detained and the other previously admitted to providing statements under duress from authorities. Released from Prison – Judge finds Charges are Baseless On April 4, 2007, Principe Gabriel was released from prison after a Judge in Bucaramanga acquitted him of all charges. The Judge found that the rebellion charges against Principe Gabriel, accusing him of being a terrorist, were baseless and relied on witness evidence and government reports which lacked impartiality and credibility. The judgment confirms that the charges against Principe Gabriel should never have been initiated. Mr. Gonzalez's release was the culmination of extensive advocacy by Human Rights First with the Colombian President, Vice-President, Attorney-General and Ambassador to the US as well as with President Bush, the State Department and UN human rights bodies (see below). At Risk of Reprisal Attacks – the Need for Protective Measures However, the charges against Principe Gabriel stigmatized him as being a rebel guerrilla and he was at high risk of reprisal attacks from paramilitary forces. In the past, human rights defenders have been found innocent of rebellion charges, only to be attacked or killed upon their release. After extensive advocacy by Human Rights First (see below), in early June 2007, Principe Gabriel was granted protective measures by the Colombian government (consisting of secure and protected transport and telephone communications). Human Rights First Materials Letter to Appeals Judge Urging Prompt Decision in Gonzalez CaseColombia's Human Rights Defenders in Danger 09/06/07 Human Rights First's call for Mr. Gonzalez's Release from Prison HRF Petition sent to Colombian Governing Calling for his Release Letter to President Bush about Mr. Gonzalez prior to his Trip to Colombia HRF Letter to Secretary of State Rice calling for Release of Mr. Gonzalez HRF Statement after Mr. Gonzalez's release |
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Unjustly Detained – Held in Prison for 15 months
