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24 February 2011 | | | |

With Love and Hope

Colombia: Family and friends of missing activist set up tent

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On Wednesday, in Cali (Valle del Cauca), Colombia, the family and friends of the environmentalist and teacher Sandra Viviana Cuellar, who disappeared on February 17th, organized a massive march and set up a permanent tent to receive new information in the area where the activist disappeared.

The march started in the area where Sandra disappeared and where her identity card and cellphone were found on February 19th. Sandra was supposed to take the public bus to the National University located in Palmira.

Caracol TV reported that environmentalist, cultural and human rights organizations, among others, participated in yesterday’s demonstration. Sandra was remembered for her commitment with the environment and as a special woman. “She is very sweet, kind, solidary, and likes to spend time with people. If it was someone else missing, Sandra would be here”, said one of her friends.

The tent set up by her family and friends aims to be a focus point where all information that could help find Sandra could be gathered.

It was reported that there are two clear hypotheses about the disappearance of the activist. One indicates that it could be a common crime. According to several Cali residents, the area where Sandra was supposed to take the bus to Palmira is quite unsafe.

The second hypothesis, which is supported by several human rights organizations, indicates that this could be related to a political action triggered by the difficult social situation in Valle del Cauca and Sandra’s profile.

The activist has been working on the defense of the Cauca River and local communities, especially Yanacona indigenous people, and a natural reserve close to Yumbo municipality (Valle del Cauca).

Colombian environmentalist and human rights organizations, among others, insist on the need to pressure the Colombian government at international level to step up the search and several organizations from different parts of the world have been sending letters to the Colombian authorities.

Economic resources are also necessary to continue and improve the local initiatives to find the activist. If you have any information about the case, please contact 314 6032911 or 310 3090866.

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/juanpg/

(CC) 2011 Real World Radio

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