“In the name of God and of these suffering people, whose cries rise to heaven and are more and more tumultuous by the day, I beg you, I plead with you, I order you, in the name of God: Stop the repression”
(Monsignor Oscar Arnulfo Romero).
Women, men, and all genders, organizations and communities, those who defend life, those who believe in social justice and the dignity of the people- who have signed this declaration- wish to express our profound pain in the face of the systems of death that are becoming increasingly entrenched in the reality of the Colombian population.
In the midst of fear, terror, misery and hopelessness we declare:
Since the signing of the Final Peace Agreement between the ex-guerrilla of the FARC-EP and the Colombian government in November 2016 through August of this year, 1000 people have been assassinated: leaders of indigenous, peasant, and afro-descendant communities and human rights defenders. Also, 227 people who signed the Peace Agreement have been murdered, figures published recently by the Institute of Studies for Development and Peace (INDEPAZ). However, the number could be greater due to under-recording.
According to Indepaz, through September 21 of this year, 246 people have been killed in 61 massacres. Among the victims, there are a considerable number of young people. Most of the territories where they have occurred coincide with the sites where there is a presence of Armed Forces.
The escalation of the conflict has been taking place in the midst of measures of isolation and restriction due to the health crisis of Covid-19, which has also generated an increased poverty in Colombia.
The President of the Colombia, making use of his constitutional powers in the midst of the health crisis by Covid-19, has issued more than 1180 decrees. Not all of them are related to Covid-19, and weaken the access to Fundamental Human Rights (health, social security, labor, among others), favoring the big national and international capitals.
Social mobilization and protest actions have been violently repressed by the government, and stigmatization, accusations and persecution are increasing. An homage to the doctrine of the internal enemy.
During the protests in response to the killing of the law student Javier Ordoñez at the hands of the National Police, 13 people were also murdered by police according to MOVICE.
The national polarization that exists from the paralyzed implementation of the agreement with the FARC is evident. It is also urgent to continue the dialogue with the ELN. The political and economic forces of the Iván Duque government affirm that there are no resources for implementation, and in fact hold that the final agreement as a sort of “impunity pact” between the two sides. In contrast, sectors of the victims, social organizations, some political parties, and economic and even military sectors demand compliance with and implementation of the Peace Accord as a historic opportunity to tell the truth and achieve the changes and transformations that Colombia requires.
The current administration is making progress in establishing a government with dictatorial characteristics by trying to put an end to the courts, concentrating efforts on militarizing the territories as the only form of security, approving the presence of the United States military in Colombia without having gone through the approval of the Colombian Congress, and attacking judicial decisions from the executive.
Today we want to speak to to Pope Francisco, to the World Council of Churches, to the different reports of the United Nations and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights who should know what is happening here. We also want to speak to the countries that are guarantors of the Peace Agreement in Colombia, to the Lutheran World Federation, to the World Reformed Communion, to people like Adolfo Pérez Esquivel, Naomi Klein, Noam Chomsky, and, to all of them, who can call for life and peace in Colombia.
Against this backdrop, we invite you to join us in our clamor:
For the government of Colombia to generate the necessary conditions to guarantee the sacred right to life: to prevent and stop the assassination of social leaders, human rights defenders and signatories of the final peace agreement.
To make visible the collapse of the rule of law and that the bloodshed in Colombia be publicized
For the balance of power be maintained for a true social democracy based on the rule of law
For a purge and restructuring of the military and police forces
For the Colombian government to have the political will to authentically dismantle of paramilitary successor structures and to reestablish the talks with the ELN guerrillas.
We ask that visibility be given to what is happening and worsening in our territories, such as confinement and forced displacement, effects of anti-personnel mines, economic blockades, stigmatization, territorial dispossession, environmental damage, and extractive activities.
We invite you to send letters to the Colombian government, to immediately advance a humanitarian agreement that will stop the escalation of the conflict.
We request the departure of the United States military from Colombian territory.
In the face of such a difficult situation, we ask you to have ready large scale the monitoring mechanisms, early warnings systems, and political advocacy strategies to help us support alternative ways of living, and so that we can overcome this situation that our country is experiencing.
For Life, Justice and Peace in Colombia!
Alianza CONVIDA20, CONPAZCOL, Mesa Ecuménica por la Paz, FOR Presente por la Paz, De la Guerra a la Paz, Peacebuilding, Non-Violence and Demilitarization Commission, Fundación Pueblo Indio del Ecuador, Somos Abya Yala, AFEP, SICSAL, SOA Watch
Firmas/signatures
Nacionales
Abilio Peña Buendía, Cosecretario Servicio Internacional Cristiano de Solidaridad con los Pueblos de América Latina Oscar Arnulfo Romero -SICSAL-
Adda Garzón
Adriana Gómez
Adriana María Henao Gaviria
Alberto Ferreira Alameda
Alejandro Builes
Alfredo López
Alice León Ramos
Amalia Carrillo
Amparo Castro Echeverri
Ana Angarita
Ana Cristina Domínguez
Ana María Laverde
Ana María Velázquez
Ancizar Cadavid Restrepo
Andrés Villa
Ángela María Quintero P.
Angela María Rivera
Angie Diaz
Aracelly Pereira
Arquímedes de Jesús Rodríguez
Asociación. Codo a Codo
Aura Linda Arguello Angulo
Bechy Paola Chimonja coy
Camilo Mendoza
Carmen Edith Hurtado de Salas
Carmen Elisa Torres
Carmenza Ortiz
Carolina Romero
Catalina Cabrera
Clara Emilia
Claudia Mejía
Constanza Ardila
Cristo Hoyos
Danna Meza
Deisy Johana Hinestroza García
Deysy Yuliana Henao Montoya
Diego Pérez
Edgar Segura Segura
Edwin Mosquera Riascos
Elena Iribarren
Eliodoro Sánchez Mosquera
Elizabeth Karpf
Elkin Úsuga Cano
Emilia Frost, Critical Peace & Transformation
Enrique Chimonja Coy
Esperanza Rico
Fanny Zuleta Restrepo
Flor Marina Ducuara de Mondragón
Flower Arias Rivera
Francisco Javier Lopera Lopera
Gloria Alejandra Montoya
Gloria Amparo Suarez
Gloria Correa
Gloria Ortega Pérez
Gustavo Echeverri
Gustavo García
Hébert Suarez Urbano
Héctor Santiago Fábregas
Henry Ramírez Soler
Hernando Robayo Mendoza
Hilda Coronado C
Idalia Reina
Ignacio Zuleta Lleras
Irene Madrigal Ramírez
Jaime Absalón León Sepúlveda
Jairo Anacona Cruz
Jimena Montana
John Hernández
Jorge Hernán Marulanda Gómez
José de Jesús Atehortúa Sánchez
Juan Camilo Tobón Olarte (pujanza progresista barboseña
Juan Carlos Cardona soto
Juan Garzón
Juana Caycedo
Judith Escobar Trujillo
Juna Guillermo Berrío
Justa Victoria Sánchez Caballero
Juvencio Cerón S.
Karen Tafur
Liliana Erazo
Lina Colorado
Luis Alberto Jiménez Zuluaga
Luis Arturo Garcés Borja.
Luis Caicedo Correa
Luis Carlos Bernal restrepo
Luisa Fernanda Parra Rodríguez
Luz Dary Ospina Román
Luz Elvira Caicedo vente
Luz María Tenorio Ramírez
Luz Marina Díaz
Luz Marina Mora
Luz Suaza
Luz Victoria Ortiz Martínez
Lyda Rodríguez
Ma Eugenia Velásquez
Mady Samper
Manuel Antonio González
Manuel Peña González
Marcela Camacho
Marcela Medina
Marcela Rodríguez Urrego
Marcó Antonio Valenzuela Pérez
Margarita Ochoa
Mari Mondragón
María Aurora Bailon Ibáñez
María Buendía
María Consuelo del Río Mantilla
María Elvira Molano
María Emma Prada
María Eugenia Mateus Amaya
María Eugenia Mosquera Riascos
María Eugenia Pineda
María Eugenia Vásquez Perdomo
María Fernanda Villarreal
María Isabel Durango Guerra
María Marulanda
María Mercedes Herrera
María Pilar Cumba Zabaleta
María Zulay Escudero Marín
Marian Suarez Camacho
Marina Mateus Parra
Marina Silva Herrán
Mario Hernández
Marta Rodríguez
Martha Moreno
Mary Giraldo
María Teresa Gómez Ardila
Mauricio Castañeda
Mauricio Tovar Suárez
Mónica Ximena Parra
Myrian Beltrán Leal
Nancy Sandoval
Natalia Vaca
Nelcy Orozco
Norma Inés Bernal Vélez
Omer Vidal
Orlando Sandoval Eslava
Paola Velásquez
Patricia Alameda
Patricia Parra
Pedro Robles
Piedad Ortiz
Rafael Ortiz Jaramillo
Raquel Beltrán
Rev. John Hernández
Ricardo Ramírez Giraldo
Rocío Vélez
Rosa Helena Mahecha Cárdenas
Rosa Milena Becerra Rosero
Rosalba Agudelo Calle
Rosalba Saavedra Mejía
Rosaly Sandoval
Rosario Torres
Rubiela Mamián
Sara Botero
Sair Antonio Ubarnes Aparicio
Sandra Villada
Silvio Cajiao
Sofia Morales C
Sofía Sandoval
Sol Ángela Hoyos Pérez
Susana Farfán
Tarcisio Gaitán
Víctor Antonio Martínez
Willinton Ibargüen Mosquera
Yadira E. Borrero Ramírez
Yeny Astrid Bedoya Betancur
Yolanda Peñuela Mora
Zoila Cueto Villaman
Zuldrey Yolima David
Organizaciones Nacionales
AFAVIT Familias Víctimas de Trujillo, Valle del Cauca
ASEMPRESA
Asociación de Pequeños Productores, ASOPROA
Asociación PIWAM
Asociación Tierra para Todos, Inclusión Social
Asuntos Femeninos y de la familia
Centro Cívico San Javier
Coalición de Movimientos y Organizaciones Sociales de Colombia – COMOSOC
Colectivo de Mujeres Tejiendo Red
Colombia Humana
Compañía de María
Comunidad de Vida y Trabajo La Balsita
Consejo Comunitario Casimiro Meza Mendoza
Consejo Comunitario Juntas del Tamaná – COCOLOJU –
Consejo Comunitario la Esperanza, Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca
Consejo Municipal de Paz, Reconciliación y Convivencia, Dabeiba, Antioquia
Coordinación Nacional Étnica Nacional de Paz – CENPAZ –
Corporación Claretiana Norman Pérez Bello
Corporación Cultural Colombo Cubana
Espacio Humanitario Punta Icaco, Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca
Fundación Guagua
Fundación Hogar Pastorin
GEMPAZ
Mesa de concertación de Trabajadores de Santa Catalina, Bogotá
Mesa de Victimas, Dabeiba, Antioquia
Mesa por el Derecho a la Salud y la Seguridad Social de Antioquia – MESSSA-
Novo Producciones SAS
Organización Cavidad
Partido FARC
Red Ambiental
Red Local de Paz y Reconciliación
RED TAMAR DE LA CONFERENCIA DE RELIGIOSOS DE COLOMBIA
Seglares Claretianos Colombia
Seglares claretianos Colombia
SERPAJ- COLOMBIA
Servicio Internacional Cristiano de Solidaridad con los Pueblos de América Latina Oscar Arnulfo Romero, SICSAL
Servicio Paz y Justicia en América Latina
Somos Abya Yala Somos una Américas
Somos Más, PDA
Internacionales
Adrián Bernal, USA
Alejandra Arriaza Donoso, Chile
Alessandra Zaghini, Italia
Anchy de la Garza, Sverige
Armando Márquez, Co-Secretario Servicio Internacional Cristiano de Solidaridad con los Pueblos de América Latina Oscar Arnulfo Romero -SICSAL, El Salvador
Arnaldo Pérez Guerra, Chile
Begoña Navarro Huidobro, Estado español
Carla Ruta, Suiza
Carmen Serrano García, España
Christian Peacemaker Teams, Canadá
Claudia Coavijo G, España
Clemencia Vernaza, Suisse
Concepción Rodríguez Seglar Claretiana, Estados Unidos
Cruz Elisa Buitrago Orozco, España
Da Costa Joël, Francia
Daniela González López, México
Daniela Luz Caivano, Argentina
David L Raby, Reino Unido
Diana Coronado, United States
Edith Martínez, Corriente Emancipación Sur, Argentina
Eleuterio Cárdenas León, Bélgica
Eliana Peña, Canadá
Elida Quevedo, Venezuela
Erica Zambrano Valenzuela, Chile
Ermencia Basante Rivadeneira, Canadá
Fanny Sandoval , Suiza
Florencia Roulet, Suisse
Franklin Ledezma andanedo Panamá
Fredis Sandoval , El Salvador
Gerardo Dure, Argentina
Gloria Niebles, Chile
Guido Cenni, Italia
Hernan fabio Roldán, Argentina
Ignacio Urbina Zambrano, Chile
Ivan Forero Robayo, España
Jairo Garavito Tirado, Canadá
Jonathan Gonzalez Quiel, Panamá
Jorge Nuñez, España
Juan Antonio Zuleta, Argentina
Judith Kelly, USA
Julín Acosta, Servicio Internacional Cristiano de Solidaridad con los Pueblos de América Latiana Oscar Arnulfo Romero -SICSAL, República Dominicana
kay Jay, USA
Kaj Arhem, Uppsala University, Sweden (Suecia)
Kathleen Desautels, U.S.
Katherine Muñoz Tirano, España
Kati Hinman EEUU
Kora Martinez, Servicio Internacional Cristiano de Solidaridad con los Pueblos de América Latina Oscar Arnulfo Romero -SICSAL, Nicaragua
Lily Colombia, España
Luisa Antonia Serrano Gómez, Inglaterra
Manuel Urbina Marchant, Chile
Marcelina Matías SICSAL BOLIVIA
Luis Espinal, Bolivia
Marcelo Chalréo, abogado, miembro del Consejo de Derechos Humanos de Brasil, Brasil
Madeline Medina, United States of America
María De Socorro Vivas Bonilla, España
María del Rosario Bravo Montero, México
María Del Socorro Vivas Bonilla, España
María Elena López gallardo, México.
María Elena – SICSAL, México
María Hadad Grez, Chile
María Muñoz, España
María Napal Gavari, España
María Rasmy Hadad Grez, Chile
María Stella Cáceres, Paraguay
María Teresa Garrido, Suiza
Maricarmen Montes, Consejo Directivo Servicio Internacional Cristiano de Solidaridad con los Pueblos de América Latina Oscar Arnulfo Romero -SICSAL, México
Mariella Tapella, El Salvador
Marta Gómez, Francia
Marta Muñoz, El Salvador
Maura Fernández, Cuba
Mauricio Ortiz-Guadalupanos Ecuador
Michaela Soellinger, Austria
Miguel Nazal, Chile
Mireya Perea Perea, España
Mónica Fery Sandoval, Francia
Mons. Raúl Vera López, Co-presidente Servicio Internacional Cristiano de Solidaridad con los Pueblos de América Latina Oscar Arnulfo Romero -SICSAL, México
Nacho Hernández Alonso, Estado español
Nadia Patricia Ramírez Mora, España
Nancy Muñoz Ochoa, Francia
Nelly Bocchi, Italia
Nicole Urbina Zambrano, Chile
Nieto granada Luz Elena, Francia
Nohora Parra, Francia
Olga Garzón, Suecia
Olga Mendoza, España
Pamela San Martin, Chile
Paolo Vachino, Italia
Patricia vence, Panamá
Petra Mallen, Argentina
Rev. Emilie Smith Co-presidenta Servicio Internacional Cristiano de Solidaridad con los Pueblos de América Latina Oscar Arnulfo Romero -SICSAL, Canadá
Rosa Gazmuri, Chile
Salomé Rodríguez González, España
Sean Cleary, Australia
Seglares Claretianos de La Ceiba, Honduras
Sergio Martínez, Chile
Severina Tapella, El Salvador
Silvia Aristizábal López, Guatemala
Soraida del Carmen Santander Solarte, España
Susi Franco, United States
Teresa Reyes, Spain
Uppsala University, Sweden
Uriel Ramírez, Venezuela
Vidal Rivas, Servicio Internacional Cristiano de Solidaridad con los Pueblos de América Latina Oscar Arnulfo Romero -SICSAL, Estados Unidos
Wladimir Cerda, Francia
Yasmin Correa Guisao, España
Organizaciones Internacionales
Agrupación de Familiares de Ejecutados Políticos Chile
Asociación acción Verapaz, España
CINTRAS, Centro de Salud Mental y Derechos Humanos, Chile
Collectif Droits Homme au Chili, Francia
Comisión Funa, Chile
Comissão de Direitos Sociais e Interlocução Sociopopular OAB Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
Comité Asamblea Constituyente Bélgica
Comité Óscar Romero de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Comunidad Ecuménica Martin Luther King, Chile
Consejo Directivo Servicio Internacional Cristiano de Solidaridad con los Pueblos de América Latina Oscar Arnulfo Romero -SICSAL- Argentina
Coordinadora 8 de Marzo Quilpué Chile
Corporación José Martí
Disciples Peace Fellowship, USA
Denver Justice and Peace Committee Denver, Colorado, United States
Ecosynapsis, United States
Emancipacion Sur Argentina
Fellowship of Reconciliation, USA
FOR Austria
Fundación Pueblo Indio del Ecuador
ICID (Iniciativas de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo), España
International Fellowship of Reconciliation – IFOR Mundial
InterReligious Task Force on Central America and Colombia, USA
Invisibles por la Paz, Chile
KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives , Canadá
Movimento de Justiça e Direitos Humanos, Brasil
REDS – Red de Solidaridad para la Transformación social, España
Seglares Claretianos de La Ceiba Honduras
SICSAL México
SOA Watch-Los Angeles , United states
Soldepaz Pachakuti, España
SOLdePaz.Pachakuti, Asturies Estado Español
Solidair met Guatemala, Belgica
The United Church of Canada