Statement denouncing the attack on the life of teacher Sara Fernández

Statement condemning the attack on the life of Professor Sara Fernández of the University of Antioquia / solidarity with social movements and public universities in Colombia

From the CLACSO Working Group on International Health and Health Sovereignty We wish to express our deep condemnation of the attack on the physical integrity of our dear friend and colleague, Professor Sara Fernández, in the early hours of March 4th in the city of Medellín, Colombia.

Sara is a prominent public health expert, social worker, and feminist professor at the School of Public Health of the University of Antioquia, a member of the board of directors of the Association of Professors of the University of Antioquia (ASOPRUDEA), a historical reference of the Gender and Collective Health Network of ALAMES (Latin American Association of Social Medicine), and a member of CLACSO Working Group on International Health and Health Sovereignty and the CLACSO Working Group on Borders, Regionalization and Globalization.

She suffered a serious attack on her life. The attack occurred in the early hours of March 4th when an intruder broke into her home at night, attacking her with a knife and puncturing part of her lung. She underwent emergency surgery and is currently recovering.

We demand that the Colombian Government, the Attorney General's Office, and the Prosecutor's Office investigate, clarify, and especially guarantee the protection of Sara's life.

Sara is recognized for her unwavering fight for life and human rights at the University of Antioquia, as well as for her role as President of the University Network for Gender Equity. She is a leading figure in the opposition to the increasing commodification of the Colombian healthcare system and its neoliberal reform since Law 100 in the 90s.

But what happened to Sara Fernández is a systematic plan.

The University of Antioquia, its students and professors have been besieged and attacked for weeks by armed groups, as part of a silent extermination of social, popular and academic activists throughout Colombia.

We express our solidarity with social movements, grassroots organizations, and public universities, which have been systematically subjected to threats, persecution, and attacks on the lives of their members. The number of deaths of leaders and prominent figures is increasing daily.

From the CLACSO Working Group on International Health and Health Sovereignty We promote active support and solidarity to stop the escalation of violence against social, educational and popular struggles in Colombia.

March 2020 
CLACSO Working Group
International health and health sovereignty