Across the Americas

OCTOBER 6, 2004, DECLARED "DAY OF RECOGNITION FOR THE DETAINED AND DISAPPEARED OF COLOMBIA", IN CITY OF CHICAGO

Resolution Introduced by Joseph A. Moore, 49th Ward
(see the resolution)

City Council
Agreed Calendar
September 29, 2004

WHEREAS, The Civil War in Colombia has claimed thousands of lives and
displaced millions of people; and

WHEREAS, Many Colombian citizens have tried to promote peaceful
solutions to the conflict, but their efforts have met with violent
resistance -- resistance that sometimes includes forced detention and
disappearance; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 7,000 people have disappeared since 1970; and

WHEREAS, An average of two people disappear in this manner each day in
Colombia; and

WHEREAS, The families of the disappeared can neither ascertain the fate
of their loved ones, nor mourn their passing with finality; and

WHEREAS, Angel Quintero and Claudia Monsalve have served those families
as leaders of the Association of Relatives of the Detained and
Disappeared (ASFADDES); and

WHEREAS, Quintero and Monsalve themselves disappeared on October 6,
2000, on the streets of Medellín; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of
the City of Chicago, gathered in assembly this twenty-ninth day of
September, 2004, do hereby declare October 6, 2004, a "Day of
Recognition for the Detained and Disappeared of Colombia", in the City
of Chicago.


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MEDIA ADVISORY - Chicago
For Immediate Release
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Media Contacts: Ruth Goring at 773 764 6733 or Elizabeth Lozano at 773 508 8535

What: National Day for the Detained and Disappeared of Colombia
When: 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 6, 2004
Where: St. Augustine College, located at 1333 W. Argyle, Chicago, IL 60640


OCTOBER 6, NATIONAL DAY FOR THE DETAINED AND DISAPPEARED OF COLOMBIA

Human rights organizations, U.S. citizens and residents in the Chicago area have declared October 6, 2004, a national day for the detained and disappeared of Colombia.

Four years ago, on October 6, 2000, Angel Quintero and Claudia Monsalve, leaders in the Association of Relatives of the Detained and Disappeared (ASFADDES), were themselves disappeared on the streets of Medellín, Colombia. According to Amnesty International and other human rights organizations, investigations into their disappearance have left little doubt that state security forces were involved.

On a national level there are 7,000 cases of disappeared persons in Colombia. Two people continue to be disappeared each day. According to ASFADDES, not one single case has been brought to justice. The United Nations and international human rights groups have documented the use of detention and disappearance by the Colombian state’s own security forces and paramilitary allies.

In Chicago on October 6, a delegation will present a letter to Ms. Luz Priscila Ceballos, General Consul of Colombia, expressing concern about these matters to President Alvaro Uribe and other appropriate government authorities. The letter will have been signed by hundreds of residents of the Chicago area and by prominent politicians, pastors, academics, and other leaders.

At 5:30 p.m. on that day, an observance will take place in Chicago at St. Augustine College (1333 W. Argyle), a diverse academic community with one of the highest Latino enrollments in the city. The purpose of the observance is to bring awareness concerning Colombia’s disappeared to the Latin American community. We are strongly encouraging your news department to cover these October 6 events. You can play a tremendous role in informing and making Chicago residents aware of the tragic situation of forced disappearances in Colombia.

Ad-hoc Organizing Committee for the National Day of the Detained and Disappeared of Colombia