The Permanent Conference of Political Parties of Latin America and the Caribbean (COPPAL) on Tuesday criticized the Colombian inspector general’s dismissal of Senator Piedad Cordoba from public office.
The Liberal senator has been barred from holding a public office for 18 years for allegedly collaborating with the FARC, but still plans to mediate between the government and guerrilla groups.
A meeting held at COPPAL’s local headquarters highlighted Piedad’s long struggle for peace, and support for minority groups, women, poor people, and democracy.
President of COPPAL, Antonio Cafiero, warned that this action against Cordoba, Vice President of COPPAL, is a serious act of criminalization of an individual’s work for human rights, democracy and peaceful solutions to conflict, according to Cordoba’s website.
COPPAL decided to maintain its support for dialogue and negotiations in Colombia as the only real initiative for the solution to a long-lasting conflict.
Cordoba added that there are lawyers worldwide who are studying her case, which she says is a injustice to democracy. The politician says that her dismissal stands in the way of true and lasting peace within Colombia.
Ernesto Moreau, a member of the American Association of Jurists, said that there are serious flaws in the resolution issued by the prosecutor general.
The Colombian senator said that she appreciates support received from different organizations within the country, as well as from Latin America and the rest of the world.
