Human Rights have taken another beating in this "model democracy" recently. A wave of disappearances and murders has taken place in the Segovia region, now a closed military control zone. The victims have mainly been activists in human rights. One victim was Margarita Guzman, with whom two members of the Dublin-based Colombia Network lived while working for a Colombian human rights group in Segovia. A book of condolences signed by 500 people in Ireland has been sent to Segovia.
The increase in state terrorism is seen as a reaction to ongoing resistance in Colombia. While the traditionally organised FARC is more or less maintaining its presence in some areas, the UC-ELN, which adopts more of a 'listening' approach to local communities, adapting its work and organisational methods to local conditions, is growing in several areas.
The media campaign against refugees seems to be having an enormous effect. Sensationalist - and often very inaccurate - reports have been followed by racist outbursts by some politicians and growing racism on the streets. What took years in other countries has taken weeks here.
On the night of the 29th of May a Bed and Breakfast in Hardwicke Street (off Parnell Square), home to several refugees, was seriously damaged by a fire. One man from Zaire awoke to find the empty bed beside him in flames. Local sources say the fire was no accident, but a racist arson attack. The Vietnamese Community Centre opposite the B and B has had bottles thrown at it and students attending English language classes there have been targets of racist abuse.
Irish people abroad have suffered enough racism for their relatives here to know better, but racism is a serious problem here - ask any traveller. This new wave of hatred must be met with an immediate response. The time to act is now.