28
and persecution inflicted on women leaders.40 Additionally, Mrs. Rua Figueroa and her family have
been unable to return to their neighborhood, recover any of their property, and currently live in a
municipality near the city of Medellin.41
B.
Forced displacement of Luz Dary Ospina Bastidas in November 2002, and subsequent
events
124. In 2002, Ms. Luz Dary Ospina Bastidas was Executive Director of the Las Independencias
Women’s Association (AMI).42 She lived in a house she owned43 with her husband, Oscar Tulio Hoyos
Oquendo, and their children Edid Yazmín, Oscar Darío and Migdalia Andrea Hoyos Ospina.44 Her house
had five bedrooms, a dining room, library, kitchen, bathroom, patio, terrace, and construction of a
second floor was underway.45
125. In November 2002, the head of the Educational Center –part of the official elementary
education system- told Ms. Luz Dary Ospina that her name was on a list of persons that the paramilitary
were planning to assassinate.46 In Mrs. Ospina’s own words:
On November 12, 2002, when my co-members of the Las Independencias Women’s Association
(AMI) Mery Naranjo, Socorro Mosquera and Ana Teresa Yarce were arrested, there was a rumor
that I was also involved in the alleged acts for which they were detained, and that something
would also happen to me, that I could also be detained or charged as they were. Consequently,
because of the detention of my fellow association members, and because of the violence and
persecution endured by the women leaders of Comuna 13 when the paramilitary forces came in,
47
that same day I left the neighborhood with the help a friend.
40
Annex 3. Statement of Mrs. Miryam Eugenia Rúa Figueroa received by the GIDH addressed to the Inter-American
Commission on Human Rights, April 27, 2012.
41
Observations of the petitioners with reference to the matter of Miryam Eugenia Rúa Figueroa et al – Comuna 13 –
dated November 22, 2011, paras. 34 and 36.
42
Annex 13. Statement that Mrs. María Noemí Morales made for the IACHR on October 23, 2006. Annex to the
petitioners’ communication in the matter of Miryam Eugenia Rúa Figueroa et al.– Comuna 13 – dated November 22, 2011.
43
Annex 14. Copy of the public deed documenting the sale of the house located at Carretera 111C no. 34 DD-36 in
Medellín, and transfer of title to said property to Mrs. Luz Dary Ospina Bastidas and Mr. Oscar Tulio Hoyos Oquendo, dated
October 14, 1997. Attachment to the original petition received in the matter of Luz Dary Ospina Bastidas – Comuna 13 –
October 27, 2004.
44
Annex 15. Statement from Luz Dary Ospina Bastidas received by GIDH addressed to the Inter-American Commission
on Human Rights, April 27, 2012. Annex 5. Observations from the Petitioners in reference to the matter of Miryam Eugenia Rúa
Figueroa et al. – Case 12.595 – dated May 3, 2012.
45
Annex 15. Statement from Luz Dary Ospina Bastidas received by GIDH addressed to the Inter-American Commission
on Human Rights, April 27, 2012.
46
Original petition received in the matter of Luz Dary Ospina Bastidas – Comuna 13 – October 27, 2004, pp. 2-3;
Annex 16. Statement from Luz Dary Ospina Bastidas received by GIDH addressed to the Inter-American Commission on Human
Rights, April 27, 2012.
47
Annex 15. Statement from Luz Dary Ospina Bastidas received by the GIDH, addressed to the Inter-American
Commission on Human Rights, April 27, 2012.