Role Secretary of the board of the Regional Corporation for the Defence of Human Rights (CREDHOS), based in Barrancabermeja, Santander.

Nature of work CREDHOS documents human rights violations; provides legal and technical assistance to victims; provides training in human rights and international humanitarian law; publishes regional human rights reports

Ravelo’s lawyers from the José Alvear Restrepo Lawyers’ Collective (CCAJAR) – who PBI also accompanies – have been the targets of surveillance, false accusations and death threats in relation to this case and others.

Human rights defender David Ravelo Crespo was detained on 14 September 2010. He is charged with a 1991 murder, on the basis of accusations made by a demobilised paramilitary agent and former guerrilla, who testified under Justice and Peace Law (JPL) 975 of 2005. Through the JPL, demobilised witnesses can receive reduced sentences in return for information. The Law has been widely criticised by for producing unreliable testimony.[1]

A charismatic social leader and key member of the Barranca human rights movement, David Ravelo has been receiving death threats at an intensifying rate during 2010. His arrest and the investigation against him are seen as further tactics in a campaign of persecution and stigmatisation against him and CREDHOS, as well as a warning to the burgeoning social movement of which they are part.

Amnesty International, Christian Aid and ABColombia have all expressed concern for Ravelo’s safety. He has received precautionary security measures from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights since 2000.

Alliance members can help by:

• Raising awareness in the legal sector of David Revelo’s case in the context of the trend towards stigmatisation and criminal framing – “criminalisation” – of human rights defenders in Colombia.
• Lobbying UK and Colombian governments, to send the message that legal experts around the world are following the case.
• If case comes to trial, attending key hearings.
• Carrying out political advocacy at the international level.
• Preparing amicus curiae briefs.