Health sector trade unionist murdered: On 12 April 2016, the Central Unitaria de Trabajadores (CUT) denounced the killing of Oswaldo Hernández Gutiérrez, president of the San Sebastián de Buenavista branch of the Sindicato Nacional de la Salud y Seguridad Social (SINDESS), in the department of Magdalena.

The attack took place on the night of Thursday 7 April when the trade unionist was about to enter his home. He was shot several times in the head and neck. Seriously wounded, he was taken to a hospital in the city of Valledupar, where he received surgery but subsequently died from his injuries in the early hours of Sunday 10 April.

The trade unionist worked as a sanitation technician at the E.S.E. Hospital Rafael Paba Manjarrez in the municipality of San Sebastián. He worked relentlessly, in his capacity as a trade union leader, to defend the rights and interests of the health sector workers in Magdalena.

Violent repression of court workers' protests: On 1 February 2016, about 300 men from the Mobile Anti-riot Squad (Esmad) violently attacked judicial workers who were protesting outside the the civil and family courts in central Bogotá.

The civil servants were protesting against Agreement 10445 of the Higher Council of the Judiciary (CSJ) whch created Service Centres for for civil and family courts.

During Esmad's attack, blows were struck and electric pistols were used, leaving several people injured, including a pregnant woman.

Murder of ADES trade union leader: On 20 November 2015, the Colombian trade union centre Central Unitaria de Trabajadores (CUT) denounced the murder of Marceli Méndez Bertel, president of the Sincelejo branch of the teachers' union Asociación de Educadores de Sucre (ADES). The incident took place in the afternoon of 17 November when the union leader was entering her home in the municipality of Sincelejo. She was attacked by armed individuals, who shot her several times.

SEATECH violates right to strike: On 30 October 2015, the tuna fish company Seatech International halted production and closed its plant in Cartagena, Colombia, for two weeks, leaving its staff of over a 1000 people, mostly women breadwinners, without work or income during that time.

In protest at the situation, a group of 125 women, members of the food industry union Unión Sindical de Trabajadores de la Industria Alimenticia (USTRIAL) decided to stage a peaceful sit-in at the factory. Three days later, the Mobile Anti-Riot Squad, called in by the management, forcibly ousted the workers, using tear gas.

Threats against USO trade union leader: On August 2015, the ITUC was informed of the continual threats and harassment faced by Héctor Sánchez Gómez, vice president of the Community Action Board in Rubiales (municipality of Puerto Gaitán, department of Meta) and trade union leader affiliated to the Unión Sindical Obrera  (USO).

According to the reports received, on 1 June 2015, at 17.30, whilst Mr Sánchez was visiting the offices of the "José Alvear Restrepo" Lawyers' Collective (CAJAR), he received a call from a member of the Santa Helena community in Puerto Gaitán, warning him that he had been offered nine million pesos to kill him. The same man advised Mr Sánchez not to go back to his home region given the risks he faced.

In addition, on several occasions during the months of April and May 2015, Mr Sánchez was followed and photographed, while carrying out his trade union work, by individuals recognised by the community as plainclothes officers of the Criminal Investigation Branch of the National Police (SIJIN).

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