Colombian govt bodyguards should go to threatened rights defenders: Congressman .

Colombian govt bodyguards should go to threatened rights defenders: Congressman .
Friday, 30 March 2012 16:00
Christan Leonard

Colombian Congressman Guillermo Rivera proposed government officials give up their bodyguards so they can protect threatened land rights leaders instead, reported Radio Caracol Friday.

Rivera suggested before the House of Representatives that all government officials with more than two bodyguards on their security detail follow his example and give one up. His proposal comes three days after Manuel Ruiz, a land restitution leader in the department of Choco, was found dead after having been tortured. His 15-year-old son was with him when he went missing, and is also thought to be dead.

According to papers seen by magazine Semana, Ruiz had unsuccessfully requested government protection three times since last year. According to official figures, at least 17 land rights leaders have been killed since the government began its policy of land restitution in 2010. Some NGOs estimate that the number is actually as high as 49.

"I invite all government employees that enjoy protection schemes of the National Police or the National Agency for Protection of State to give up at least one member of their security scheme," said Rivera.

More:
http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/23197-govt-officials-should-give-up-bodyguards-congressman-rivera.html