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“Your updates and advice are vital to us in the actions we take. We value the work that you do and are grateful to you for taking the time to meet with us and share information.” — Jason MacLean, Secretary-Treasurer
Ottawa and Bogotá (15 Dec. 2022) — Today the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) had a meaningful and productive meeting with representatives from CAJAR, the José Alvear Restrepo Lawyers’ Collective. CAJAR is a non-profit organization that works to defend human rights in Colombia.
A valuable partnership
NUPGE has a longtime partnership with CAJAR. At NUPGE’s most recent Triennial Convention, delegates passed a resolution on maintaining solidarity with labour and social movements in Colombia, and with CAJAR, specifically.
Today, representatives from NUPGE and CAJAR met via Zoom. This builds on their in-person meeting this summer when NUPGE was part of the Frontlines delegation to Colombia. Jason MacLean, NUPGE Secretary-Treasurer, and Trevor King, Secretary-Treasurer of NAPE, participated in the meeting, and had also represented NUPGE in the Frontlines delegation.
It is a crucial time in Colombia, following the June election of a progressive government for the first time in the country’s history, and the immense need to remedy a long history of human rights violations and the repression of activists.
Renewed commitments to work together
CAJAR reported on the work they have been doing this year and shared valuable insights on the political context and human rights situation in Colombia.
The groups renewed their commitment to working together and staying in contact. NUPGE is committed to supporting CAJAR and their work.
“Your updates and advice are vital to us in the actions we take,” said MacLean. “We value the work that you do and are grateful to you for taking the time to meet with us and share information.”
Learn more about the Frontlines trip and its significance by reading the joint statement from the Canada-Colombia Frontlines Delegation 2022 or viewing the photo album from the trip.