Colombia Caravana have started the virtual trial observation in Yopal, Colombia, in the case against  HERNANDO MELO TOVAR  Y JAUMER FERNANDO PIRABÁN BARRIOS, who stand accused of murdering and torturing community activist Luz  Marina ARTEAGA, whose tortured body was found in January 2022. 

The hearing took place on Wednesday, 22 February 2023  via videolink.  Colombia Caravana observed a high level of professionalism, especially the judge in the case, who was very thorough and attentive to all the parties in the case.

The judge decided to transfer the case to a special jurisdiction court in Yopal and the next hearing would be scheduled by the judge of the special jurisdiction court.

The Caravana was represented by Laura Lazaro Cabrera, Senior Legal Officer at Privacy International and the Advocacy Director at  Colombia Caravana and Sasha Duncan, British human rights consultant, and director of Colombia Caravana.

 Our mission is supported by the ABColombia, UK. 

• Our purpose is to attend the trial hearings to conduct independent observation and to write a report as to the adherence of the above hearings to the international standards of a fair trial.

• We are totally independent of any party to the trial and our observations and conclusions will be our own and based on our own independent and impartial observations.

• ”…I would like to thank all the parties in the case for a warm welcome we received in the courtroom, albeit virtually. I would also like to thank the judge in the case for the cooperation at a very short notice. I can assure the parties in the trial and the general public that we will keep monitoring the trial and will publish our report at the end of the trial with our findings and recommendations…” said Sasha Duncan, Colombian Caravana Director.

23 February 2023