CPTnet
6 December 2005
COLOMBIA: Forum of Human rights workers condemns civilian murders
The Barrancabermeja Forum of Human Rights Workers, in which Christian
Peacemaker Teams participates, released the following statement on Friday,
Nov.18. (It has been edited for length. People wishing to see the entire
statement in Spanish may send their request to guest.476277@MennoLink.org.)
THE VIOLENCE AGAINST CIVILIANS CONTINUES IN BARRANCABERMEJA AND THE
MAGDALENA MEDIO
Violations of human rights are unceasing in Barrancabermeja. According to
the Regional People's Advocate, as of the end of October, 106 people have
died violently this year, 500 have had to leave Barrancabermeja due to
threats, and 21 have been reported as disappeared.
--[W]e condemn the assassination of Rafael Delfin Pérez, a citizen of this
city who had founded a children's and youth soccer school, was a member of
the Regional Planning Council, and an activist of the Democratic Pole party.
The paramilitary Central Bolívar Block (BCB) continues to terrorize civil
society, preventing other sectors of opinion from expressing themselves, and
creating a very troublesome atmosphere as elections and the BCB's announced
demobilization approach. The paramilitaries continue to eliminate their
political opposition, relying on the impunity offered them by the "Justice
and Peace" Law, which permits them to commit any manner of abuses --
[Note: the "Justice and Peace" Law provides the framework for negotiations
between the Colombian government and paramilitary groups on demobilization.]
New members of these criminal groups have been arriving in the city, and
continue the practice of forcing young people to join them, telling them
either to "work" with them or leave the region.
In lower income areas the paramilitaries carry out their so-called
"cleansing" under a permissive attitude of the army, law enforcement
agencies, intelligence bodies, and City Hall, which have the constitutional
responsibility to --protect the human rights of the citizens of
Barrancabermeja.
-- In less than thirty days in District 4, four people have been
assassinated and several others forced from their homes, while in districts
5, 6, and 7, more have been assassinated and displaced--
We citizens of Barrancabermeja act as citizens and workers for human rights
when we express our opposition to what is happening in this city. We are
building our country, our civil society, our nation more deeply than those
who meet to decide who will die.
Authorities of the Colombian State: You need to, and have the opportunity
to, demonstrate that "democratic security" in this city is not a failed
policy. Mr. Mayor, and Commander of the Police, you have the opportunity to
demonstrate that even with the paramilitaries in the city, you are the
authorities and direct the city. Your police force gives democratic
security to the citizen. If it cannot, you must recognize that the illegal
armed actors in fact govern it.
OAS Peace Process Mission: You have the opportunity to demonstrate to the
citizenry that your impartiality is real. Undertake the necessary measures
to verify that the paramilitaries continue to murder the civilian
population.
WE DEMAND
* An investigation into the homicides that have occurred in
Barrancabermeja.
* Transparency from the legally constituted military, police, and
judicial authorities regarding these acts, which continually return the
people of Barrancabermeja to mourning.
* Respect for the life and dignity of the families and members of the
social organizations, defenders of life.
HUMAN RIGHTS WORKERS' FORUM
Barrancabermeja, November 18, 2005
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