November 1, 2004

BOGOTA, Columbia - The so-called community state and democratic security project spearheaded by the current Colombian government is breaking down collective land rights and the autonomy of the communities, according to the Continental Meeting of Christians for Peace with Justice and held in this city from October 30.

This government policy is only sustainable if backed by strong repression against social and resistance movements expressed in recent years by a paramilitary strategy that is leading to the massive displacement of entire populations, attacking life, culture and the social fabric, according to the final statement from the event.

This has led to a degradation of the armed conflict, which increasingly affects the civilian population. Women are the victims of all armed actors, submitted to all types of abuse; their bodies are considered the spoils of war, regardless of their age. Moreover, young people, boys and adolescents, are forced to join armed groups.

Being young and poor is to be stigmatized and criminalized, converted into the victims of "social cleanup" actions, something that is worse if you are Black. The displacement of populations in Colombia is of such a magnitude that it is considered the second leading humanitarian crisis in the world, it emphasized.

A significant group of brothers and sisters, from different places in Colombia, Latin America and the Caribbean, met in search of mechanisms to articulate a continental movement for peace with justice and dignity and were able to witness the dramatic situation affecting Colombia.

The event was convened by the Religious Confederation of Guatemala, the Presbyterian Church of Colombia, the Ecumenical Network of Colombia, the National Social Communication Center (CENCOS) of Mexico and others in Ecuador, as well as by Catholic bodies and other organizations.

The implementation of neoliberal and structural adjustment measures only increases the gap between the few rich and an overwhelmingly poor majority. As a consequence of these measures, in some places like Buenaventura, on the Pacific Coast, unemployment is at 80 percent.

This same system depends on legal and illegal military strategies as a means to expropriate peoples' land. Their natural resources are turned over to national and multi-national private corporations. Such is the case of indigenous, peasant farmer and African-descendants on the Pacific coast who are losing their land to mega projects and African palm plantations.

A similar situation exists at a continental and world level. Human rights are being submitted to the economic interests of the powerful, supported by multi-lateral organizations such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Trade organizations and the World Bank, which determine the policies that should govern countries, above and beyond national constitutions, the document from the meeting stated.

One example of this is the Free Trade Agreement for the Americas FTAA, which our governments have sought without consulting organizations and communities.

Generalized administrative corruption has been a breeding group to facilitate the imposition of these diabolic policies. The other instrument is the militarization and Para-militarization of life.

This reality of sin makes us indignant as a people of God. The risen Christ inspires us as Christians to reaffirm the absolute value of life, life in abundance and to reject all human sacrifices and sacrifices of nature that are committed by the forces of evil, it affirmed.

However, those of us who are participating in the event feel encouraged to live a spirituality of hope. We have shared experiences in the recovery of the political action of the people, the affirmation of the rights of specific sectors, such as indigenous people, Black people, women, peasant farmers, children, young people, Pentecostal Churches and others.

Indigenous marches in Colombia, Ecuador and Bolivia, the social movement of women against war in Colombia, organic farming, specific Bible readings from the profound Abya-Yala cultures are, among others, the Karios of something new that the Spirit has begun and which is growing.

And it produces fruits of colors, flavors, smells and textures that emphasize life, weaving ties that are an anticipation of the fullness of the Kingdom, where there is space for everyone, concluded the declaration.

Latin American Caribbean Communication Agency (ALC)