NSW: Colombian protester "will face death if deported"

AAP General News (Australia)
08-10-2001
NSW: Colombian protester "will face death if deported"

SYDNEY, Aug 10 AAP - One of 16 protesters who sparked a massive police operation in
North Sydney this week will face death if he is deported to Colombia, the group's spokesman
said today.

After being held in relation to the occupation of the Colombian Consulate on Wednesday,
it was discovered one member of the group was in Australia with an expired visa.

He was taken to Villawood Detention Centre, pending his deportation. A Department of
Immigration spokesman today said arrangements for this to happen would be made as soon
as was practicable.

The other protesters, including four young children, were released without charge.

Spokesman for the protesters, Vlaudin Vega, said the much publicised action by the
group would not be well received by Colombian authorities.

"It is important for people in Australia to know that if (he) goes back to Colombia
it will be a death sentence," Mr Vega said.

He said the group was now considering a protest and hunger strike outside the Villawood
Detention Centre.

"We have discussed the possibility of a protest outside the Villawood Detention Centre
and also a hunger strike," he said.

He said they would consider all options available to them to prevent their comrade
from being deported.

"We are going to talk to Amnesty International or Red Cross to see if there's anything
we can do about it.

"Also we will get in touch with other organisations around the world - we have friends
in Europe and friends in South America - to see if there's something they can do from
outside Australia.

"Either our comrade goes to another country or he stays here. We'll do whatever we
can to obtain those options."

The group was involved in a peaceful protest against US intervention and human rights
abuses in Colombia, occupying the Consulate General of Colombia's office in Walker St,
North Sydney, when police moved in.

When they were released after being held by police for several hours, the group raised
the possibility of legal action.

Today, Mr Vega said that was looking less likely because of the cost involved.

"We've learned we need a lot of money to do that [take legal action] so we are in limbo,"

he said.

"I don't know if we are going to find someone who could take the case up for free but
it's still an option."

AAP rg/sal/ph

KEYWORD: COLOMBIANS DAYLEAD

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