By Rev. Milton Mejía,
with reference to the advocacy strategy of
DiPaz (Interchurch Dialogue for Peace)
A large part of Colombian society celebrated and we gave thanks to God for the peace accord signed between the government of president Juan Manuel Santos and the ex- guerrilla of the FARC-EP (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army) in November of 2016. Our joy was founded on the hope that we were making an effort to end more than fifty years of civil war between compatriots which has cost the life of at least 220,000 people and produced more than eight million victims between displaced, kidnapped and disappeared persons.
Our hope continued growing when we saw personally and through the media that more than 13,000 combatants of the FARC-EP laid down their arms and initiated the transition to civilian life by means of economic and cultural projects in the territorial spaces where they were located to reorganize their personal and family lives. As churches motivated by the gospel of peace, we decided to accompany these people who initiated a new stage in their lives with the motivation to continue working for their ideals without weapons, intent on recognizing and making reparations to the victims in order to achieve reconciliation and peace with social justice in our country.
The international community and the United Nations Security Council have served as guarantors of the dialogues and the establishment of the peace accord, and verified the laying down of arms of the members of the FARC-EP, continuing to accompany the fulfillment of the accords. They have declared on several occasions that this accord has been an example for the world, creating the impression that peace in Colombia had already been achieved. Many people and organizations of the international community who were in solidarity with the Colombian people thought that the armed conflict had been overcome.
The presidency of Iván Duque brought to power a political sector that was opposed to the peace accord with the FARC-EP and has tried to modify it and has set up obstacles to its fulfillment, mainly regarding the system of transitional justice (considered the heart of the peace accord) and the allocation of resources for income-generating projects. This has created a situation of legal uncertainty for the ex-combatants who fear being jailed or extradited to the United States and do not see viable options for economic sustenance in their new life.
In the middle of this panorama the ex-combatants continue reaffirming their commitment to fulfill the peace accord, but we are alarmed by the systematic violence against community social leaders and human rights defenders and ex- guerrillas of the FARC-EP who signed the peace accord and are in process of reincorporation into civilian life.
The organization INDEPAZ in its latest report indicates that in the period from the signing of the peace accords in November 2016 through July 2019, 623 social leaders and human rights defenders have been assassinated in Colombia, along with and 137 ex- guerrillas of the FARC-EP in process of reincorporation. (1)
This alarming violence against people who are recognized for their community leadership and defense of human rights has continued throughout 2019, as has the violence against ex-guerrillas of the FARC-EP and their families. Human rights organizations at the national and international level, as well as the Public Ministry in Colombia, have reported on the gravity of the situation and have asked the Colombian State to take urgent measures to guarantee the life, personal wellbeing, and work of community leaders, human rights defenders, journalists, officials, and all those exposed to violence because of their work in defense of human rights.
Nevertheless, the government’s response has been insufficient. Stipulations of the Peace Accord such as guarantees for political participation, work in defense of human rights, and protections for the most vulnerable communities and territories, lack the necessary legal structures and effective actions to halt the wide-spread violence.
The lack of integrated state presence in the territories lends a propitious atmosphere for the strengthening of armed groups, especially the so-called successors of paramilitarism that seek to control territory and the population by means of armed violence and stigmatization, increasing their presence in zones previously controlled by the FARC-EP and in areas with illegal economic activities. In addition to this, the Colombian government suspended dialogues with the ELN (National Liberation Army) and this guerrilla group has increased its armed actions in recent months.
Therefore, we call on the churches and international ecumenical community to continue in prayer and action to maintain the hope for peace in Colombia. These actions should include:
- Advocacy on behalf of Colombia’s civilian population, community leaders, and human rights defenders to stop the violence that afflicts them and urging the Colombian State to take up a clear, holistic presence in the territories and adopt effective measures of protection.
- Verification that the process of removing illicit crops comes with viable alternatives that will be sustainable for the communities and not create greater risks for their safety and wellbeing.
- Insistence upon the independence of powers in Colombia for a healthful democracy, as well as the recognition of transitional justice and guarantees for its autonomous operation.
- Exhorting the Colombian State and society in general to avoid polarization in the peace-building process and to strengthen democracy from the perspective of gender equity.
- Insisting on a negotiated end to the armed conflict. This includes such important steps as the complete fulfillment of the Peace Accord reached with the former FARC-EP guerrilla, the renewal of dialogues with the ELN guerrilla group, building on the advances made by the previous government, and seeking peaceful means to dismantle paramilitary structures and successor groups. We ask the international community to offer support and accompaniment to guarantee these processes are carried out.
- Urging the United Nations Security Council to maintain its focus on detailed verification of the fulfillment of the Final Accord with the FARC, extending its mandate as long as is necessary.
- Asking the churches around the world to redouble their support and accompaniment and to surround the Colombian people, encouraging them in hope to continue seeking peace with social justice and reconciliation.
- Insisting that the Colombian government, the United States congress, and the international community continue in unconditional support of the implementation of the Peace Accord to end the armed conflict and in the construction of peace in Colombia.
(1) TODOS LOS NOMBRES, TODOS LOS ROSTROS. http://www.indepaz.org.co/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Informe-parcial-Julio-26-2019-Indepaz-Marcha-Cumbre.pdf
DOPA Colombia 2020 