No one is above the law.
Álvaro Uribe Vélez
The detention of former president Álvaro Uribe was ordered by the Colombian Supreme Court on the 4th August 2020, following an investigation spearheaded by human rights CCAJAR lawyer Reinaldo Villalba, winner of the Sir Henry Brooke Award 2020.
The decision marks the first ever instance of a former president being detained. Álvaro Uribe Vélez served as the 31st President of Colombia from 2002 to 2010, in an administration that has been defined by its military campaign against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
Villalba’s case rests on allegations of witness tampering and fraud relating to crimes committed during the country’s five decade civil war. Villalba reported forced retraction of statements against the former president and his brother, who is also on trial. Claims that the brothers were linked to the creation of a paramilitary bloc in the Department of Antioquía have led to further pressure on witnesses from third parties.CCAJAR and Villalba are still awaiting the decision as to whether there is enough evidence to bring Uribe to trial. Uribe has denied all allegations against him.
Former President of Colombia Álvaro Uribe Vélez
Colombian human rights lawyer Reinaldo Villalba Vargas
“Managing a case of this kind generates a huge potential for risk and danger.”
- Reinaldo Villalba
CCAJAR
Villalba manages penal and national litigation for The José Alvear Restrepo Lawyers' Collective (CCAJAR), primarily criminal defence and the representation of victims of serious human rights violations. He has been vilified by the authorities and characterised as a defender of terrorism, particularly since his work representing Senator Iván Cepeda.
Villalba has been a member of CCAJAR for 27 years. CCAJAR is a Colombian non-governmental human rights organisation, which aims to contribute to the fight against impunity and the construction of a just and equitable society.
CCAJAR lawyers at 40th anniversary celebration
According to information published on 1 May 2020 by the Colombian magazine Semana, CCAJAR lawyers comprised some of the 130 individuals subject to “profiling and surveillance” from parts of the Colombian National Army. This has been linked to the collective’s representation of victims of extrajudicial executions in cases against retired generals.
“The true dimension and importance of this accompaniment cannot be fully appreciated.”
- Reinaldo Villalba
CCAJAR has been supported by PBI since 1995, to ensure the safety and physical security of its lawyers.
Through field presence and the support of our sophisticated emergency network and international advocacy, we ensure that CCAJAR lawyers can carry out their work independently without fear of intimidation’, in accordance with the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers.
On the ground, we have undertaken regular risk assessments to monitor his security situation, carried out meeting with local authories, the UK government, parliamentarians and legal pro bono experts to express concern for the safety of Reinaldo and engage them in advocacy and capacity building actions.
PBI UK Director Susi Bascon with Reinaldo Villalba
