STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR LEONARDO GONZÁLEZ
We, the undersigned representatives of civil society organisations who are members of the International Code of Conduct Association (ICoCA) wish to extend our wholehearted support and solidarity in the wake of recent threats by a group of FARC dissidents directed at Leonardo González, Director of the Observatorio de Derechos Humanos y Conflictividades, an ICoCA member, which has been working tirelessly to shed light on pressing human rights concerns. We recognise the importance of such efforts in bringing about positive change in various communities.
These latest threats surfaced after Mr. González, himself a courageous advocate for human rights and justice, fearlessly exposed the risks faced by a community in the Cauca Department in Colombia.
We firmly denounce any actions aimed at stifling voices that highlight injustices and advocate for the vulnerable. It is imperative that human rights defenders are protected and empowered to continue their valuable contributions towards a better society.
As fellow ICoCA civil society members, we stand in solidarity with Leonardo González and those who are dedicated to the pursuit of justice and human rights and call for the safeguarding of the rights of all individuals, especially those in vulnerable situations.
With solidarity,
International Code of Conduct Association
Action Pour l’Éducation et la Défense des Droits Humains (APEDDH) (Rwanda)
AFRILAW (Nigeria)
Centre for Democracy and Human Rights (CDD) (Mozambique)
LITE-Africa (Nigeria)
Lumiere Synergie pour le Developpement (Sénégal)
Omega Research Foundation (UK)
COMPPART Foundation for Justice and Peacebuilding (Nigeria)
Instituto de Enseñanza para el Desarrollo Sostenible (IEPADES) (Guatemala)
Children and Young People Living for Peace (CYPLP) (Nigeria)
Usalama Reforms Forum (Kenya)
Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business (Myanmar)
Kijiji Yeetu, (Kenya)
Women Action Towards Economic Development (WATED) (Tanzania)
Cadre de Concertation sur la Réforme des Services de Sécurité et Justice, CCRSSJ (DRC)
Socios Perú (Peru)