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Aug. 17, 2012 Libcom.org<br>
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<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://libcom.org/blog/11000-columbian-prisoners-hunger-strike-better-conditions-17082012">http://libcom.org/blog/11000-columbian-prisoners-hunger-strike-better-conditions-17082012</a>
<big><b>
More than 11,000 Columbian prisoners across 21 jails are now over two
weeks into a hunger strike and other acts of resistance.</b></big>
They are demanding the following:
1) Declare a state of emergency in the country’s correctional facilities
and install a National Board of Consultation with inmate representation to
develop a plan to address prison conditions.
2) End overcrowding
3) End filthy and unhealthy prison conditions and maintain an adequate
system of healthcare.
The prison system in Columbia has been given advice and money from the
United States, which has resulted in a legacy of repression and
mistreatment.
Water and food within the prison system is in short supply, and is often
not fit for human consumption – some of which has been found to contain
evidence of faces. In many jails, prisoners still have to shit and piss in
buckets or plastic bags
Within recent years, overcrowding in Columbian jails has risen enormously
(up to 40% in some areas). The prison estate has a maximum capacity for
78,000 people, yet there are at least 134,000 people currently
incarcerated.
Also rising rapidly is the torture and ill treatment of prisoners, and in
particularly - political prisoners.
Columbia recognises three types of ‘political prisoner’:
1) Prisoners of conscience - people arrested for political activities and
charged with such crimes as, “Rebellion”.
2) Victims of set-ups – persons arrested for political reasons based on
false testimonies.
3) Prisoners of war. An estimated 1,000 political prisoners are members of
guerrilla groups.
Political prisoners (Columbia has 10,000) are kept in severely restricted
conditions. They are often kept in solitary confinement, prevented from
sending or receiving mail and the only human contact they are allowed is
with prison officers.
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San Francisco, CA 94110
415 863.9977
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