United_Digital1_8:Activist issue 7 12/06/2009 13:25 Page 24
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united digital justice
Always remember
Released from a Colombian jail, health worker Carmen Mayusa will always
remember the help Unite members gave her
Carmen Mayusa has had a nice lunch with active in their unions and had criticised the psychological boost.
friends, a welcome break from the hectic round government.
of meetings and interviews on this sunny warm In fact it was the work of Justice for Colombia,
day in London. But as she stares into her coffee “Being in a Colombian prison is a permanent Unite, union solicitors Thompsons, MPs and
her eyes say it all. psychological torture,” Carmen says. “I was ordinary trade union members that helped
arrested by the anti-terrorist police and locked secure the release of Carmen and Nieves last
“They killed my brother Luis, last August,” up in an insect infested police bunker for seven May, by continuously writing letters and emails.
Carmen simply says. Her other brother days. No relatives were allowed to visit or bring
Saloman ‘disappeared,’ never to be seen again. food. It was terrible. I got pneumonia and they Carmen was overwhelmed by the support she
Her youngest brother, Alexander, was found in would not give me any medical treatment at all got from Unite members, saying it really helped
dustbin bags at an airport, hacked to pieces. Her until they moved me to the prison. My mother her to cope. “The support we got from trade
uncle, niece and nephew were murdered. They suffered terribly. unionists all over the world was solid, but no
imprisoned Carmen, her sister Nieves and her more so than support from the UK. I’d like to
18-month nephew for two years without trial. “In the prison I was with about 70 women, all thank the UK trade union movement but
‘They’ are the Colombian government. living with the constant pain of not knowing especially Unite and Justice for Colombia, for
what had become of their families. I shared with their huge support.”
Carmen, a nurse, is active in her health trade my sister and her 18-month old boy.”
union, ANTHOC. The Mayusa family has always Carmen also received visits from unions –
fought for workers’ democracy in a country Sometimes women can either bring their including one from Unite assistant general
where there is none. In the last 20 years children into jail with them or leave them secretary Gail Cartmail. “These visits
thousands of trade unionists have been killed or behind. If there are no relatives the child would strengthened me so much – it was great to
‘disappeared’, attacked or jailed without charge, not usually be supported by the state and meet Gail, and to receive all your messages. You
by the Uribe-led government. would have to live on the streets. In prison all did that and I will always remember. I will
these children get no food or support. When never forget all the people that visited me, the
In fact 19 union leaders have been killed this they reach their fourth birthday if there is no images of their faces will always be in my mind.
year, the latest, ANTHOC’s Vilma Carcamo one to care for them, they are thrown out to
Blanco, shot standing by her car, in May. fend for themselves. “I’m here in the UK to meet these wonderful
people again and to strengthen our ties of unity.
“Since I was a small child I have always been Nieves kept her baby with her, but her 15 year All of you contribute to stopping the
active in trying to improve the difficult old son was left behind. “It was terrible for my assassinations and the terrible things that
conditions for Colombia’s workers. My family little nephew to live like that, he really suffered. happen to trade unionists in Colombia. Through
have been, and continue to be persecuted for He had no health care, nowhere to play, no Unite and Justice for Colombia our story gets
this,” she explains. freedom – it was very difficult.” heard.”
The Mayusa family constantly received death Now freed, Carmen is worried about her young Carmen can’t decide if she’d like some cake. She
threats and fled from town to town, in an nephew. “He is very quiet, withdrawn and is enjoying her freedom and the carefree
attempt to carry on their work. “Since I was subdued. It is like the prison had left an indelible everyday life she has never really had. She will
young I’ve been searching for truth and justice,” mark on him.” shortly return to Colombia where the state is
she says. In 1980 she became a nurse – “I putting together a new ‘case’ against her. She
wanted to help my community with their Life in a Colombian prison is unimaginably hard. says she hopes the decision of the court goes in
healthcare needs too.” The conditions are severely overcrowded, her favour. The thought of further imprisonment
cramped, noisy and unsanitary. Action group is crushing.
Carmen was very involved with her union and Justice for Colombia – with who Unite has
had to move her family – her husband, two been actively working for some years – “I have a great lawyer, Rodolfo Rios, who I
sons and a daughter – from the region they supports women political prisoners in thank. But the greatest defence we have is
lived in after death threats. “My children are all Colombia by providing humanitarian aid. solidarity – your actions, your unity with us
born in June,” she reflects. “I believe it was makes you our voice. I would like to give my
during this time the government created its The project, funded by Unite, has supplied infinite thanks to every Unite member. Please
false case against me, which ended up with my clothes, blankets, sanitary products, reading keep the pressure up on our behalf.”
imprisonment.” materials and medicine to women in various
different Colombian jails. The project also • Want to help? Go to
In May 2006, Carmen and her sister Nieves, campaigns for prisoners’ release – with www.unitetheunion.com or visit
were arrested and thrown without charge into some success as in the case of Carmen www.justiceforcolombia.org
a women’s prison. Their crime? They had been and Nieves. So it also provides a massive
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