Colombia

From the field Colombia: A new chance for peace?

At the beginning of November FARC leader Alfonso Cano was killed by Colombian military forces and his death is certainly a victory for the Colombian military. Peace organisations in the country, such as Colombianas y colombianos por la paz, stress that in spite of military victory, political negotiation and social justice need to be used to establish peace and stability in Colombia. Read more >>>

Commentary Women, War and Peace

With three women winning this year’s Nobel Peace prize, now is an apt time for PBS’s new series, Women, War and Peace initiative, especially as the central character of one of the films is Leymah Gbowee, one of the Nobel Prize winners. Read more >>>

Interview Colombia: an analysis of the new ‘Victims Law’

In August 2010, Juan Manuel Santos was elected as the new Colombian president. His government has pushed forward a new victims law that according to the law’s creators will offer compensation to around 4 million victims of the Colombian conflict. It is being hailed as a major step for Colombia. There are however concerns from certain sectors, particularly from human rights and victims organisations. We speak with the legal human rights organisation Yira Castro about the law and its capacity to address successfully the issue of the victims of the Colombian conflict. Read more >>>

From the field A peace community’s unrelenting commitment to peace

In rural Colombia, choosing to follow a path of peace is not an easy option. Those who, in choosing such a path, declare neutrality in the conflict are labelled as enemies by the followers of a “with us or against us” logic. However, when those declaring their commitment to peace are driven by the conviction that a new reality is not only necessary but essential, there is no deviation from that path, regardless of the consequences. This has been the story for the San José de Apartadó Peace Community. Read more >>>

From the field Urgent appeal: Help for Colombia, protection for San José de Apartadó!

This is an urgent call for support. The inhabitants of the Peace Community San José de Apartadó need our help now. The Colombian Peace Community is again massively under threat on various levels. In such situations we’ve often experienced that international attention can save the live of innocent people. Giving a few minutes of our time can have an important effect. Read more >>>

From the field For true peace, first there must be justice

In the heart of Putumayo, one of the most troubled regions in Colombia, a coalition of grass-roots and human rights organisations held a two day event offering an opportunity for reflection, analysis and the highlighting of the reality being lived in the region. The ‘Citizens’ Assembly for Truth’ offered an integral space to the region’s many victims of the conflict. Human rights lawyers offered their assistance taking record of the hundreds of cases as the victims of Putumayo seek an end to the humanitarian crisis and an end to the impunity that continues to reign throughout Colombia. Read more >>>

From the field Interview with a Leader of a Peace Community in Urabá, Colombia

Jesús Emilio Tuberquia is a leader of the San José de Apartadó Peace Community in Urabá, northwest Colombia. The Urabá region has lived a bloody recent history – a history that is yet to reach its end. It is a heavily militarised zone with a strong presence from guerrilla, army and paramilitary forces. Urabá acted as the launch pad for the savage paramilitary expansion across Colombia in 1997. In February 2005 the Peace Community suffered a now infamous massacre in which paramiltary forces combined with the Colombian army to brutally murder 8 civilians, including several children. Read more >>>

From the field The Importance of IDP Organisations in Colombia

In a country with more than 4 million IDPs and many violations of Human Rights, International Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law organisations represent the best way to demand juridical action on the application of constitutional guarantees. Read more >>>

From the field Presidential elections in Colombia: More of the same?

Colombian voters will elect a new President this month; the controversial reign of Álvaro Uribe will come to an end. The first round of voting took place at the end of May and the two remaining candidates will learn their fate as voters once again take to the urns. In one corner is the close Uribe ally and ex-Minister of Defence Juan Manuel Santos. In the rival corner is the surprise phenomenon, the ex-Mayor of Bogotá, Antanas Mockus. Read more >>>

From the field The Stigmatisation of Human Rights Defenders in Colombia

For President Uribe Velez, human rights defenders are “politically interested individuals who hide themselves behind the banner of human rights and ultimately serve the cause of terrorism.” During his presidential reign, this practice of accusation and criminalisation of government critics has been constant. Both national and international human rights organisations have suffered accusations of being “the political arm of the guerilla” and of acting as “spokespersons for terrorism with the aim of discrediting the state.” Read more >>>