ICRC News 16 / 04-May-00

Colombia
Violence at prison

The violent clashes that broke out on 27 April at La Modelo prison in
Bogota, where more than 4,300 people are being held, killed 32 detainees
and injured some 20 more. At the request of prisoners and authorities
alike, ICRC delegates went to the scene to help arrange a cease-fire and
evacuate the wounded, the dead, and four women who had been on the premises
when the clashes occurred.

On 30 April, the ICRC's presence was again requested during a thorough
search of the prison ordered by Colombia's National Security Council.

Fighting between detainees is frequent in Colombian prisons. The violence
is a source of concern to the ICRC, which regularly visits more than 150
places of detention in the country. A similar incident in La Modelo prison
on 8December 1999 resulted in the death of 12persons while 12 others were
injured. In view of the seriousness of the situation, various groups of
detainees signed a truce last March and committed themselves in particular
to a process of "disarmament".

Further information:
Carlos Rios, ICRC Bogota, tel. ++571 636 73 46
Corinne Adam, ICRC Geneva, tel. ++41 22 730 2224


During the weekend of 6 - 7 May 2000, for all information please call the
press officer on duty Corinne Adam, on (mobile) 41 79 202 36 80