US visa for Columbian activist to collect human rights award
October 16 2009 by Liam Clifford
Colombian activist allowed into the country on a US visa to collect Human Rights award.
Gabriel Gonzalez, a Colombian activist for human rights, has
been awarded a US visa to allow him to receive a Human Rights First award in New
York.
Andrew Hudson from the human rights organisation said, “we are
thrilled that Gabriel will have the opportunity to come to the United States and
receive this well-deserved honour. The State Department made the right call in
granting Gabriel’s US visa, a decision that is a sensible extension of their
longtime support in his case.”
Gonzalez had to wait for months to hear
whether US immigration was going to let him enter the country. He is a
groundbreaking activist and coordinates the Political Prisoner Solidarity
Committee in Colombia. His work helps political prisoners and other victims of
the Colombian conflict to gain rights and access to justice.
His US visa
application has attracted much media attention and also underwent Congressional
inquiries. Diplomatic advocacy efforts were required to secure the visa for
Gonzalez.
Hudson added, “it is an honor to support Gabriel’s important
work and to enable him to provide first-hand information to policy makers in the
U.S. about the arbitrary detention of Colombian activists.”
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