col-pp-update0306

Colombia Peace Presence Update, March 2006

In this Update:

FOR Human Rights Delegation to Colombia: Aug. 6 — 20, 2006

Join the Fellowship of Reconciliation on a powerful delegation as we visit communities and organizations fighting for the right to say no to armed conflict and are creating real peace and justice from the grassroots up. The delegation begins in Bogotá August 6tj and ends August 20th. Delegates will meet with grassroots Indigenous, Afro-Colombian, Youth and Women's rights organizations committed to improving the human rights situation in Colombia through cultural expressions against war and alternative non-violent practices of organizing.

Delegates will travel to the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó, spend time in the settlement of La Unión and talk with community members directly. The delegation will also meet with government officials and come to have a greater understanding of the drug war and U.S. military intervention in Colombia. Our growing accompaniment work in Colombia allows FOR to assemble a unique and rich delegation experience. Your chance at meaningful formation awaits you!

$1300 covers the cost of all delegation expenses, including translation and qualified FOR delegation leaders. Airfare to and from Bogotá is NOT included. For more information, or to register by June 6th, call 415.495.6334 or email: amanda@igc.org

Members of Congress Call for Military Aid Cut to Colombia

Earlier this month, fifty-nine congressional representatives urged Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to withhold assistance to the Colombian military until Colombia replaces military leaders of a brigade that has a long track record of abuses. Additionally, three republican representatives sent separate letters to Secretary Rice, also asking for funding to be withheld. In particular, the representatives call upon the army to investigate the February 2005 massacre in the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó, where the Fellowship of Reconciliation maintains a permanent team of human rights observers.

The representatives pointed out that after the massacre last year, the State Department delayed the disbursement of military aid to Colombia. However, after it's subsequent approval of continued aid, 3further violence against members of the Peace Community ensued.2 On November 16 and January 12, the army killed two leaders of the Peace Community. The letter also recounted soldiers firing on unarmed civilians and making multiple death threats against community members, as well as an FOR human rights observer.

The 59 representatives noted that the Colombian Army's 17th Brigade, which operates in San José de Apartadó and nearby Afro-Colombian communities, has been charged with hundreds of violations, including collaborating with paramilitary groups designated by the State Department as international terrorist groups.

"In order for Colombia to achieve a sustainable peace and the economic growth such a peace would bring, the Colombian military, and especially the 17th Brigade, must respect the rule of law and international human rights", said Rep. Sam Farr of California, who initiated the letter together with Rep. James McGovern (D-MA).

The United States sends more than $500 million in aid to the Colombian military and police each year, making the nation by far the largest recipient of U.S. military aid in the hemisphere. However, the military aid is contingent on improved human rights in Colombia. The congressional letter calls on Secretary Rice to enforce the human rights certification law by withholding a portion of military aid until Colombian prosecutors substantially investigate the most serious crimes against the Peace Community, suspend the 17th Brigade's leadership, and reform the Brigade's conduct in San José de Apartadó and other communities in its jurisdiction.

Just in the last month, the Colombian Army was rocked by media revelations of torture and sexual abuse of its own soldiers in training exercises, with photos of the results that are reminiscent of the Abu Ghraib scandal. The Colombian army's chief was replaced, but many observers say the story is symptomatic of a wider problem in the Colombian armed forces. The United States trains thousands of Colombian army officers each year.

If the representative from your district signed this letter, please take a moment to call the congressional switchboard (202-225-3121), ask to talk with that office, and thank your representative. To see a list of representatives who signed onto the letter and to see the full text of the letter, click here.

FOR Delegation Witnesses Resistance to Unlawful Detention:
Rural Community Assumes Risk to Release Detained Members

Since last summer, the FOR CPP team has begun to support other Colombian groups engaged in non-violent resistance to the war. Part of this work involves bringing delegations twice a year to visit partner organizations, the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó, and other rural communities in resistance. At times, FOR Delegations can provide critical accompaniment to communities struggling to find peaceful existence in the midst of heavily armed zones. The February 2006 FOR delegation found themselves in just such a critical space during a visit to the town of San Luis, in the eastern part of the Antioquia province.

On February 12th, a bus left San Luis for the outlying settlements of Buenos Aires, a community that continues to experience threats, accusations and extra-judicial killings as a byproduct of the strong military presence in the area. After only five minutes on the road, the bus was pulled over by two armed men dressed in civilian clothes, which the community recognized as soldiers of the 4th Brigade. The soldiers pulled two young men off of the bus and ordered it to continue on its way. The bus left and the two soldiers proceeded to search the young men, take their money, tie them up and begin to lead them away, presumably to kill them. The rest of the passengers on the bus quickly decided that despite the risk, it was imperative to turn around try to stop this unlawful detainment

As the bus approached the scene, the soldiers suddenly realized that they were now being observed. They quickly undid the restraints making sure that the onlookers were able to see them. However, the soldiers continued to threaten the young men by saying, "This time you've escaped, but the next time you won't".

Two days after this incident the FOR delegation made a detour in their trip to the eastern part of Antioquia in order to support the community of Buenos Aires as they met with members of the 4th Brigade, which is in control of the area. The delegation bore witness as the community denounced the unlawful detention of the young men and demanded that their money be returned. The delegation used its presence to pressure the commander to investigate the incident. The commander agreed that the soldiers1 behavior was unacceptable and that the money would be returned and the behavior addressed. The community also brought up other specific complaints and accusations, citing a long list of abuses by the 4th Brigade.

On its return to Bogotá the delegation and members of the FOR field team met with representatives of the US and Austrian Embassies and the Head Human Rights Officer of the Vice Presidency of Colombia. Both of these entities have made calls to the 4th Brigade to pressure that a fair and full investigation is carried out. The FOR team continues to remain alert to the situation and how it develops.

This encounter illustrates the great impact that international accompaniment, in all of its incarnations, can have. The community felt more able to bring up all concerns and grievances due to the presence of internationals. In turn, the commanding officers of the 4th Brigade could not ignore what they heard as FOR and delegates were present, witnessing the accounts of abuse.

Technology Appeal from CPP Team: Laptops and Miles Needed

Among their many duties, the FOR team of volunteers in Colombia is tasked with gathering on-the-ground important information and communicating it to the outside world in a timely way. To maintain communication with FOR and others regarding the day-to-day security of the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó they rely on a working computer. The urgent actions and updates sent out from our organization rely directly on the team's ability to remain in reliable contact with the outside world. Both the FOR team in San José as well as in Bogotá are in need of new computers. We are currently seeking donations of new (or near-new) laptop computers.

Another way you can directly help the work of human rights observation is by donating airline miles. A donation of mileage (35,000 miles) will pay for the cost of transporting a FOR team member to Colombia, and can be tax-deductible for the full listed price of the ticket. All cash contributions are tax-deductible also. If you are interested in contributing a new laptop or airline miles, please contact the TFLAC office at 415-495-6334 or amanda@igc.org.

UN High Commissioner on Human Rights Releases Report on Colombia

In preparation for the 62nd Meeting of the UN Commission on Human Rights -being held in Geneva this week- the High Commissioner issued a strong report on the human rights situation in Colombia. The eighty page report is the most critical such report on Colombia in recent years. It details a series of abuses and violations by, or with the help of, Colombian government forces that civil society and non-profit organizations have been denouncing for quite some time.

Indeed, Chief of Mission Michael Frühling stated that: "The existence of a pattern of judicial executions and forced disappearances was observed, associated with violations linked to the administration of justice and to impunity. Arbitrary detentions, torture and cruel an inhuman or degrading treatment were also recorded, along with attacks on freedom of expression. "In terms of State responsibility on such violations, the report noted that "[T]hese violations are not part of a deliberate State policy at the highest levels, but a lack of acknowledgment by the authorities of these violations, and the insufficiency of corrective actions, constituted obstacles to their being surmounted."

Not surprisingly, San José de Apartadó appears several times in the report. The February massacre and the November attack are mentioned, along with the fact that murders and attacks in recent years against the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó have not been clarified, illustrating how acute impunity is Colombia. The army's attack from a helicopter on February 22nd is shown as an example of attacks against civilians and indiscriminate use of force by the Colombian Army, which is banned by international humanitarian law. Referring to the helicopter attack, the report noted "these machine-gun attacks created a risk for more than 200 peasants who inhabit those villages".

Furthermore, the report notes that, on various occasions, the principle of distinction between civilians and combatants has been violated because the authorities stigmatize the civilian population: "Examples of this situation occurred in Caquetá, in San José de Apartadó (Antioquia), and in Arauca, among others". Finally, the report highlights the attacks on prosecutors investigating the 21st February massacre.

Read full text of the report

Arbitrary Recruitment by Army Continues in Medellín:
Young men keep carrying guns because 'the army forces us'

English Translation of Communiqué from the Medellín Youth Network

In the city of Medellín, the so-called ‘searches1 by the army continue in public areas. The army argues that this is a legal act, following orders given by the president. The events occurred beginning February 16, and today — February 20 — again a group of soldiers from the Girardot Battalion of Villa Hermosa are conducting operations in the area around Berrio Park, San Antonio Park and Playa Avenue, illegally detaining young men who don't have a military registry card.

In response to these searches, the members of the Medellín Youth Network have organized immediate action groups, where we have monitored these operations and argued the illegality of them to their commanders.

In the operation at Berrio Park today, when [soldiers] were preparing to move young men who didn't want to do military service into the cage, some members of the organization stood in front of the truck, and in just that moment a policeman of unknown rank arrived, last name Lopez M., demanding their identification. The truck with about 20 youth moved and while they explained that this was against the law, the same policeman López M. responded that they would clear the area. The youth, exercising their full right to be in a public space remained in front of the truck, while the policeman argued that they were making a scandal. They simply informed people of the illegalities the soldiers were committing, but given the circumstances of repression in our country, active criticism any abuses by the state forces is prohibited.

The Youth Network continues to insist on the illegality of these detentions. It is known that the army makes massive calls [convocatorias], so-called recruitment days, and only in exceptions do they do these operations. But that is not what has happened. Instead there are acts of intimidation and abuse by the authorities.

We realize as an anti-militarist organization that the conditions for a young man in this country are the best for being recruited by any armed group. For example, the ignorance of their rights as autonomous beings, the denial of the right to decide without pressure what they want to do in a society without opportunities.

We insist on the legitimate right we have as youth to conscientiously object to participation in the Colombian army and be forced to carry a gun and a uniform, to kill others and of course to be the target of others.

Today we again record our indignation and call on social organizations to speak out, investigate these acts, and demand respect for the autonomy of youth to make their own decisions.

We are the Medellín Youth Network

February 20, 2006

Letter from the Field: The Hope of Return

By Daniel Malakoff

The story of a rural family in the district of San Jose is the story of its land.

“How old were you when you realized that there was a war here?” I asked Margarita. The eleven-year old replied, “When I was five. We had to leave our home in La Esperanza.”

Over 30 years ago, Margarita’s grandparents homesteaded a farm in La Esperanza along Paradise Creek and started a new life. They brought their two sons to their new home. Their parents and brothers joined them in clearing and planting the land. Margarita’s mother was conceived.

That’s when problems with the armed groups began. One night, the dog started to bark, alerting the family, but not in time. Two armed men had come to the house and seized Margarita’s grandfather. They told him to start walking and shot him in the back. He died in his wife’s arms. Those responsible likely belonged to the guerrilla, though no one knows for sure. No one knows their motive, as they were never caught.

Margarita’s grandmother, filled with grief and fear, moved the family away. For three months she lived in her brother’s house, raising her two children, expecting a third. Laura was born, and Margarita’s grandmother decided she had spent enough time in unhappy refuge. Though her husband’s murder stained the land, her instincts called her back. The land was still clean in her eyes and still hers. She went home and started anew. This was the first displacement and the first return.

The land supported many families like Margarita’s. Nearly 40 came to found lives in this backwoods area of the San José district. Many lived on isolated farms—holes in the wilderness—but a center of homes and shops also formed. The people built a long chapel from hardwood harvested from the forest. With mules, they brought in concrete blocks from the closest town and built a school and health center. They named their settlement in the middle of the jungle La Esperanza, hope in English. Their hope was to stake land that could sustain theirs and future generations.

Margarita, born on her family’s farm, would not have the chance to grow up there. The paramilitaries arrived one day in 1996 and ordered everyone out. They gave the campesinos 20 days to pack their animals, belongings, families. After 20 days anyone found living in the settlement they promised to kill. Killings of civilians in neighboring settlements proved this was no empty threat. Margarita’s family after over 20 years on their farm abandoned their crops and displaced.

They lived for months in displacement, first in the town of San José and, after two massacres displaced San José, in Apartadó or Medellín. Though subjected to crowded living conditions, sickness, and strain, they endured, and put their hopes in the nascent Peace Community which dedicated itself to returning the campesinos to their lands.

The Community first returned to San José town, then La Union, and finally Arenas Altas and La Esperanza, the most outlying of the settlements in the Peace Community. The entire Community helped. Advance parties cleared the land of the thick, jungle underbrush and planted crops, so that returning families had a harvest waiting for them.

In 1998, seeing it worth the risk, six families returned to La Esperanza, Margarita’s among them. The armed actors pressed down. The guerrilla demanded food, which the community members refused to give. The public forces and paramilitaries remained intent on seeing the settlement emptied in order to more easily combat the insurgents and for the land, rich in wood and fertile. The pressures grew until three of the families left the Community. In 2000, the remaining three, including Margarita’s, decided the danger of staying was too great and displaced. That’s when the five-year-old Margarita realized a war was going on all around her.

All three women — Margarita’s grandmother, Laura, and Margarita — still talk of their farm in La Esperanza as if it’s waiting for them. Maps of the Community still include La Esperanza though not even one member currently lives there. It remains the land of hope.

This month the Community took the first step toward fulfilling that dream of return. Accompanied by FOR, over 20 men and women from La Holandita, La Union, and Arenas Altas made the four-hour walk. From La Union, an hour-long climb brings you atop a high peak, where military and guerrilla regularly make camp and from where you can see over the cordillera to the ocean. The trail then cuts for an hour through the settlement Las Nieves, which is high enough to produce coffee, but virtually empty, past abandoned cacao orchards and old growth forest. It drops into La Esperanza. The abandoned church, school, and health center have endured, along with the cases of empty bottles left from parties a decade ago when this was a prosperous town. The jungle has swallowed most of the houses.

The Community’s 150-acre farm stretches along Rio Esperanza with its crawfish and swimming holes. The Community bought it, but never had the opportunity to develop it before pulling out in 2000. The house is large and not in too bad of disrepair. Its four rooms and patios slept all of us comfortably on the floor and in hammocks.

The campesinos cleared the thick, high undergrowth: thickets, vines, nettle, working away from the house. Their work revealed an intact corral as well as barbed wire fencing. Working in three groups, they cleared a tremendous amount in the week we stayed, leaving only the taller trees to fell after the planting. Moral stayed high despite the broken machetes and the rain, everyone already thinking of the corn harvest in late summer.

Margarita’s grandmother, now in her sixties, came to cook for one of the work groups and again see her land. She misses her farm and being nearer to it excited her. Upon leaving, she wanted to stay, and now looks forward to when, in the near future, they again enter to plant corn, beans, and rice.

Her son, an infant when his mother first came to these lands, also accompanied this advance party. Scanning the cleared land, he could see the possibilities and smiled like a mischievous boy when he turned to us and said, “Yeah, I want to come back.” He sees how his family is of this land and wants the story to go on.

If you have any further questions about the FOR Colombia program or if you need to update your email address or unsubscribe, please contact us. Thank you again for your ongoing support.

In Peace

Susana Pimiento Chamorro
Colombia Program Coordinator

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Fellowship of Reconciliation
Task Force on Latin America and the Caribbean
2017 Mission St. #305, San Francisco, CA 94110
phone: (415) 495-6334, fax: (415) 495-5628
E-mail: forcolombia@igc.org or johnlp@igc.org
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