The following letter was sent to federal home affairs minister Brendan O'Connor.
On behalf of the Latin American Forum (Victoria), we are writing to protest against the arbitrary detention and interrogation of Alejandro Rodriguez by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) that was carried out on February 3.
We consider this event as part of the campaign to censor and delegitimise solidarity with workers around the world, such as Colombian workers who deserve our support.
Colombia has the worst record in the world for the political murders of trade union leaders. According to the International Trade Union Confederation, 49 were killed in 2008 alone, and 838 killed between 2000 and 2008. Ninety-five percent of these cases are "unsolved".
To many Australian unions and members of the society, the defence of human rights is a priority, as it should be to the Australian authorities. Mr Rodriguez deserves our support and not political persecution by the AFP.
We condemn any attempt by the AFP, ASIO or any other intelligence agencies in Australia to persecute, detain or harass Rodriguez or other political and solidarity activists. This is a serious abuse of power under the current anti-terrorism laws.
We demand the Australian government takes measures to ensure that the AFP and ASIO are used to protect the Australian people and not used for political campaigns, especially those initiated by oppressive regimes, as is the case with Colombia. It is our knowledge that Colombia is the government demanding that the AFP carries out this investigation.
Yours sincerely,
Roberto Jorquera, Sean Seymour-Jones and Lourdes Garcia, on behalf of the Latin American Forum (Victoria).
[Send a protest letter to Brendan O'Connor or AFP commissioner Tony Negus.]