Colombia: Call for justice for the murder of Johan Ferney Aguilar González

Johan Ferney Aguilar González was murdered on September 3rd 2023, in Falán, Colombia. He was the son of Wilder Antonio Aguilar Rodríguez, a local leader and environmental activist in the region. This tragedy occurred only hours after his father had filed a public complaint of death threats related to his opposition to the mining project of “Santa Ana” executed by Minerales Santa Ana and owned by the multinational Canadian mining company Outcrop Silver.

This tragic event is a direct attack on those who fight day in and day out for their rights and to defend their land against the interests of extractivist companies operating in their region. This act is a threat to defenders of territory and human rights and a warning to all those who oppose the interests of corporate powers.

Together with our Colombian partners we demanded justice for Johan with an open letter sent 12 months ago to the General Prosecutor. Herein, we demanded the Colombian government to protect the lives and personal integrity of the leaders and communities who resist to protect their territories. Our requests remain the same to this day:

• We demand an impartial investigation to be developed on this act of violence, in order to ensure that it does not go unpunished.

• We demand collaboration and respect from the National Mining Agency, mining companies and other environmental authorities towards the community and Johan's family at this difficult time. Until the investigation into his murder is concluded, not forgetting the circumstances under which his murder occurred, we ask for a moratorium on further mining explorations in the territory.

• We make an urgent call to the local, regional and national authorities to provide protection and security to the leaders who are committed to the struggle for justice and the protection of their territory from powerful economic interests.

• We demand for the respect of human rights and the safety of those who dedicate themselves to the defence of their communities and the lands they inhabit.

It saddens us that one year after writing our open letter, these requests remain unanswered. We haven’t heard of any progress made in the investigation of the murder of Johan Ferney. On the contrary, the process of mining exploration and threats to the local ways of life continues unhindered, as the suspension of mining licenses and precautionary measures have been lifted by the Colombian judiciary. We send our thoughts and strength to the community and family who have been bravely facing these difficulties as they keep their heads up high in the struggle for justice and the defense of their territory and people.

Signatories

1. EEB - European Environmental Bureau (Europe’s largest network of environmental citizens' organisations, consisting out of 180 member organisations from 40 countries)
2. SETEM Catalunya (Spain)
3. Salva la Selva (Spain)
4. Atelier ONGD (Spain)
5. London Mining Network (United Kingdom)
6. Rettet den Regenwald (Germany)
7. CATAPA (Belgium)
8. NOAH - Friends of the Earth Denmark, Broederlijk Delen (Belgium)
9. OMCT -World Organisation Against Torture (Belgium).
10. ACAT (France)
11. Pax Christi International Latin-America and the Caribbean (Latin-America and the Caribbean)
12. Comité Ambiental en Defensa De La Vida (Colombia)
13. Corporación S.O.S Ambiental (Colombia)
14. Red de comités Ambientales del Tolima (Colombia)
15. Comité de Solidaridad con los Presos Políticos – Seccional Tolima (Colombia)
16. Ruralia Urbana (Colombia)
17. Alianza Regional (Colombia)