by Gladys Gomez Niño

translated by Phillip Hart

Over the last four months, 196 families have occupied an area called Villa Dignidad on the outskirts of Barrancabermeja in search of better living conditions.  These families were all unemployed and had no means of paying rent.  In December 2009, police evicted them, but they returned within a few days.

Following a stand-off with police on 15 January 2010, representatives from the community, social organizations, including Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT), and the municipal government met and agreed that to postpone the eviction process until the 19th – 22nd of that month in order to give people time to look for solutions that would permit a voluntary exit and provide security for the community.  On 21 January, the families and city representatives signed an agreement specifying that families would leave voluntarily, and the municipality would provide new land for them to live on.

On the following day, three members of Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) witnessed most of the community dismantling their homes and preparing to leave their familiar surroundings, with no clear idea of where they were supposed to go.  Tearful men and women asked CPTers, “Tell us where we are supposed to go.  We have children, and we don’t know anyone here in Barranca.  Where are we supposed to take these few things we own?” 

Although the families were following through on their agreement with the city to leave voluntarily, riot police surrounded the area.  Late in the morning with the temperature rising, the authorities had still not provided a space to where the people of Villa Dignidad could relocate.  They asked for more time, but the authorities turned them down, although they provided trucks to “help” the people collect their belongings.  At 5:00 p.m., at least thirty families had yet to leave.  Police had entered the community earlier in the afternoon and a backhoe stationed at the entrance raised fears that the destruction of the barrio was immanent.

On the morning of the 23 January, CPTers returned to verify the relocation process and met with various families who had stayed in Villa Dignidad overnight guarding their belongings.  A hard rain had fallen during the night, and families who no longer had roofs were soaked.  Others went to a promised shelter and were turned away.  By the evening of 23 January, the neediest families had relocated to a shelter or received enough money to find temporary housing.  The rest were expected to find lodging with extended family or friends while they waited for the city to follow through on its promise of land for relocation. 

CPT has developed contacts with the families of Villa Dignidad, because it is a member of the Human Rights Workers Forum (ESPACIO).  Team members are worried about the status of these families, who are looking for a life that includes not only shelter, but also employment, education, healthcare, and public services.  According to Colombian law, the government has the obligation to respect their rights and meet their basic needs of living space, protection against violence, and security against continuing displacement.