Assassinations, threats and arbitrary detentions of Colombian human rights defenders continued at alarming levels throughout 2006. In response to this disturbing trend, Democratic Representative Jim McGovern of Massachusetts and Republican Joseph Pitts of Pennsylvania sponsored a ?Dear Colleague? letter to the U.S. State Department, asking that Secretary Rice and the U.S. embassy pressure the Colombian government on this issue. The letter, which was delivered December 15, was signed by 64 Representatives. The letter asks that the State Department continue to press the Colombian government to investigate and prosecute threats and attacks against defenders, make public statements regarding the legitimacy of human rights work, and improve protection measures for human rights defenders and other leaders at risk.

Activist Actions

On November 19 nearly 22,000 activists gathered at the gates of U.S. military base, Fort Benning, to demand that the School of the Americas (SOA) be closed. The event draws attention to U.S. sponsored military training of Latin American soldiers carried out at the SOA, and the numerous human rights violations these soldiers have committed after receiving such training. To date, more than 10,000 Colombians have trained at the SOA making them the largest contingency of soldiers to pass through the school?s doors. This year?s event included talks by Colombians Debora Barrios, a Wayuu leader of the Guajira region, and Renato Areiza of San José de Apartadó. Prior to the event, the U.S. Office on Colombia made a presentation about the impacts of U.S. military funding in Colombia. To learn more about the School of the Americas, or to see a slide show of the protest, visit the School of the Americas Watch website.

In late November, the Washington Office on Latin America and the U.S. Office on Colombia completed a Washington, DC tour highlighting the relationship between African Palm projects, displacement and human rights violations in Afro- Colombian communities. Tour participants included members of the Inter-Ecclesiastical Commission of Justice and Peace, Ana del Carmen Martinez, member of the Community for Self-Determination Life and Dignity of the Chocó, and Enrique Petro, a leader of the Curvaradó, Chocó community. Ms. Martinez and Mr. Petro have both been displaced from their land as a result of African Palm projects. The tour included a Congressional briefing with representatives from the Congressional Black Caucus, a meeting with the U.S. State Department and USAID, and an event with NGO representatives.

During the first week of December, the U.S. Office on Colombia and the Latin American Working Group, sponsored a Washington, DC speaking tour of women leaders from the Colombian NGO, Ruta Pacifica de la Mujer-- a national grassroots women?s peace movement with nine local chapters in conflict zones throughout Colombia. The Ruta Pacifica leaders discussed their grassroots organizing efforts for peace and women?s rights. They also shared how women are affected by conflict and suffering, not only from the loss of family members, land and livelihoods, but also from sexual violence carried out by all actors in the Colombian conflict. They explained that as Colombia?s paramilitary demobilization unfolds, Ruta Pacifica members have observed and experienced sexual violence and coercion exercised by ex-combatants who still dominate many Colombian neighborhoods. Tour participants included Luz Amparo Mejía Garcia, a social psychologist, Delis Palacios Herrón, a 29-year-old who was one of many displaced by the Bojayá massacre in 2002 and represents the "May 2nd" Association of Displaced People. As well as Esther María Gallego Zapata, a lawyer and national organizer, and Alejandra Miller Restrepo, Cauca Regional Coordinator of the Ruta Pacifica de la Mujer.

Due to recent security legislation that incorrectly labels victims of persecution as supporters of terrorism, thousands of refugees are being prevented from receiving protection in the United States. This legislation adversely affects Colombians who are displaced by conflict and living under constant threat by illegal armed actors. If the thousands of displaced Colombians seeking refuge in the United States are to be granted such status, this legislation must be changed immediately. Jesuit Refugee Services-USA, has launched a campaign to transform this legislation and is calling for your support. Please click on the Jesuit Refugee Services/USA quick link to learn more, or to send a letter urging President Bush to take action on behalf of vulnerable refugees.

U.S. Media Coverage of Colombia

On November 17, the LA Times reported that four current and former members of the Colombian Congress were arrested for ties to right-wing paramilitary groups. The four politicians are from the department of Sucre, an area that is heavily controlled by paramilitaries. Adam Isacson, of the Center for International Policy, calls the charges a ?milestone,? as human rights groups have been critical of Colombia?s persistent paramilitary political structure. News of the investigation follows the election of a Democratic majority in the U.S. Congress?including representatives that have been calling for greater scrutiny of U.S. funding for Colombia?s recent paramilitary demobilization. In a November speach, President Uribe defended his ?honest government? and called his critics ?guerilla supporters.? A December 19 San Francisco Chronicle article reports that other recent disclosures reveal that mayors, governors, judges and the current foreign minister have ties to narco- trafficking and paramilitary groups. "The paramilitaries have taken control of a good part of the (Uribe) administration," former President Cesar Gaviria, leader of the opposition Liberal Party, told reporters last month.

A December 19, 2006 article in the Washington Post reports that dozens of individuals arrived to hear Paramilitary leader Salvatore Mancuso testify in court on Tuesday and demand that he tell the truth about his role in the disappearance of their loved ones. Many of the people present wore T-shirts reading ?Truth,? ?Justice,? and had photographs of their missing and murdered family members strapped around their necks. The paper reports that in 2003, Mancuso was sentenced to 40 years in prison for organizing the 1997 massacre of at least 15 people in the town of El Aro, and Colombia?s attorney general, Mario Iguaran, explained that 1,200 people had complained to prosecutors about crimes Mancuso allegedly committed. Mancuso and other paramilitary leaders have come forth to testify as part of a highly criticized demobilization and negotiation process with the Colombian government. While paramiltaries will receive reduced sentences for confessions of their crimes, many vicitims are doubtful that the full truth will be revealed. In refernce to Mancuso?s testimnoy, Ivan Cepeda, leader of the Movement of Victims of Crimes by the State explained, "We want to know who his chiefs are, who ordered these crimes, who his political allies are, who has benefited from so much land usurped from poor Colombians.?

On December 20, 2006 Reuters reported that despite negotiations with Colombian paramilitaries, peace remains a distant prospect in the country due to a continuation of illegal economic activity?namely narcotrafficking. The article cites Cynthia Arnson of the Woodrow Wilson Center as explaining that the demobilization of nearly 31,000 paramilitary soldiers, "has not in any way meant the dismantling of their criminal networks.? Reuters reports that the Colombian government admits that despite the disarming ceremonies broadcast on television over the last three years, many paramilitaries have formed new crime gangs. Mauricio Romero, director for disarmament and demobilization at Colombia's National Reconciliation and Reparation Commission, explains "the paramilitary leaders who negotiated the demobilization have lost a lot of power. The new narco-trafficking bosses are rising from the paramilitary ranks.? Reuters reports that ?paramilitary chiefs are using their political status as demobilized combatants to win benefits that are allowing them to stay in the drug business [and that] the paramilitaries are not trying to protect a political platform but a multibillion-dollar business."

Heather Hanson

Executive Director

heather_hanson@usofficeoncolombia.org

Annalise Romoser

Senior Associate

anna@usofficeoncolombia.org