User:Lola.francis/sandbox

Isabel Zuleta

Summary

Isabel Zuleta is best known for her continuing environmental activism, particularly as a member of the MVR (Movimento Rios Vivos).https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/organization/movimiento-rios-vivos-antioquia-mrva Zuleta was born on April 12th, 1982. https://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isabel_Zuleta   Isabel Zuleta has spent her life this far in Columbia.https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/profile/isabel-zuleta

Biography

Zuleta specifically is a spokesperson against the Hidroituango Dam Ituango_Dam- which has faced criticism due to its construction forcing inhabitants out of their land and severely reduced local opportunities to work in the mining and fishing sectors in the Cauca River. The criticism Zuleta and other human rights defenders in the area is also largely a result of the zero percent compensation locals have received for their losses as well has the continuing violence they have been subject to from the police, local militias and guerrilla groups since as early as 2013.https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/profile/isabel-zuleta

Many human rights defenders opposing the dam have faced serious threats such as smear campaigns, break-ins, death threats and killings. In 2013 Nelson Giraldo Posada involved in the MVR was found dead by the banks of the Cacau River, and the same year, a fellow MVR member, Robinson David Mazo was shot dead. https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/case/threats-against-environmental-rights-defenders-movimiento-r%C3%ADos-vivos

As a result of her campaigning (speaking out against the marginalisation of rural areas in the peace process, territory militarisation and that social and environmental struggles hinder peace.) Isabel Zuleta has been targeted by interventions in her communications, criminalisation and death threats.[] In 2014, Zuleta’s house was broken into and MVR information was stolen (20th June), the month after, Isabel Zuleta was accused of being a member of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia on her social media.https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/profile/isabel-zuleta

The clear ongoing campaign of intimidation and harassment of MVR members paints a uncertain picture of Zuleta’s safety - which Front Line Defenders are deeply concerned with.