Local lawyer says U.S. has duty to help Colombia

Local labor and human rights lawyer Daniel Kovalik spoke yesterday in a lecture addressing… Local labor and human rights lawyer Daniel Kovalik spoke yesterday in a lecture addressing labor issues in Colombia and enforcement of global human rights.

The lecture, held in Posvar Hall and sponsored by the World Federalist Association and Pitt’s own global studies program, drew a modest crowd that filled the majority of the small lecture hall.

Upon entering, guests signed in and were greeted with refreshments and information on the World Federalist Association of Pittsburgh, whose mission statement is to “promote world peace through world law.”

Kovalik, who also serves as assistant general counsel for the United Steelworkers of America and is the founder of the Colombia Solidarity Fund, began the lecture by providing some background information on labor issues in Colombia.

Kovalik explained how paramilitary forces that are allegedly threatening, torturing and even killing Colombian workers and trade unionists are continually violating the workers’ rights, and how litigation in American courts can be used to enforce these basic human rights.

He mentioned that these paramilitary groups target civilians, particularly trade unionists and human rights leaders as well as prostitutes and drug addicts to promote social cleansing.

Specifically addressed in the lecture was the topic of lawsuits against several U.S. corporations including Coca-Cola, Panamo and Drummond Coal, who are being sued by Colombian plaintiffs who allege that local management of these corporations have conspired with paramilitary forces in Colombia.

Kovalik also presented alarming facts such as the fact that during the past 10 years, approximately 1,500 union members have been killed in Colombia by guerillas and the paramilitary. Of these, 177 were killed in the past year alone, and this number has shown a steady increase annually.

He also mentioned “for every 10 trade unionists in the world, nine are Colombian. They’re being killed because they organize unions.”

Also touched on briefly was some discussion of the drug industry in Colombia, specifically cocaine.

“What is so amazing is that there is no regulation of the chemicals sent to Colombia,” Kovalik said.

Kovalik explained that Colombians grow coca, but don’t have the chemicals necessary to refine it into cocaine.

“That’s where the U.S. and other countries come in. Something like 90 percent of imported chemicals are used to convert crops into drugs,” Kovalik said.

Following the speech, Kovalik entertained questions from the audience, many of whom were concerned with the United States’ role in the Colombia issue.

Guests’ reactions to the speech were positive.

“I definitely thought it was good for people to learn about. I myself am active in trying to shut down terrorist groups like the School of Americas. It’s good for activists to be educated,” said Paul Cooley, a senior and member of Students in Solidarity.

Senior Sarah Rogers, also a member of Students in Solidarity, agreed.

“I definitely thought the speech was well done. [Kovalik] summed up the history really well. As a part of the student group about plan Colombia, I try to attend any event that involves it in some way. This was definitely worth it,” Rogers said.

Kovalik summed up the presentation by mentioning, “If anyone can stop this type of violence, it’s the U.S.”

For more information on these issues or on how to join the World Federalist Association of Pittsburgh, go to its Web site at www.wfap.org, or e-mail the association at wfap@aol.com.