© 2007 JUSTAPAZ · Developed by Atarraya Table of Contents:
Compiler’s Note- Charlotte Shristi
Protestant Church Proposal for Truth, Justice and Reparation—Margarita Gil
Nonviolent Action Moves Politics: Vigils in Bogotá, Washington D.C. and Other Cities in the United States and Canada—Margarita Gil and Janna Bowman
It’s Time to Play Our Cards for Peace, Not for War: Interview with Eduardo Villanueva of SweFOR
The Church and Nonviolence-Astrid Zuluaga and Margarita Gil
SISTER SANCTUARY CHURCH NEWSLETTER
Restorative Justice: A Sanctuary for Peace Church Vision-Anonymous Sanctuary for Peace Church Member
The Seed Continues to Grow Among Thorns: Following Threats against His Life, and Resulting International Campaign, Pastor Pinto from Putumayo Shares His Reflection
Marta Domicó, representing the National Indigenous Organization of Colombia (ONIC), was the last presenter to be invited to the floor of a February symposium on the issues of truth, justice and reparation in negotiations currently taking place between the Colombian government and major units of the paramilitary, known as the United Self-Defenses of Colombia (AUC). Her official statement followed that of the Colombian High Commissioner for Peace, Luis Carlos Restrepo, who defended the Uribe administration’s proposed demobilization legislation; it also followed the statements of congresspersons presenting alternative legislative proposals, and those of representatives of social organizations on key elements of truth and reparation for victims.
One of the presenting senators expressed that the forum was a waste of time as parties directly involved in the negotiations were not all present. On the other hand, Marta, and the social organizations who convened the event, pointed out that the victims were being excluded from the negotiation process while they should have an active role along with the government and armed actors.
A recent international conference in Cali attended by South Africa Archbishop, Desmond Tutu, highlighted restorative justice as an appropriate model for approaching issues of truth, justice, and reparation in peace processes such as Colombia’s. This model proposes a key role for victims in deciding what it takes to make things right and to rebuild relationships.
Colombian Vice President Francisco Santos has expressed that the principle of truth sought by victims ‘does not necessarily require that the paramilitaries confess’. "You can work around that," he said. Senator Rafael Pardo, who along with a coalition of congresspersons, brought a more demanding bill before Congress, told Reuters he expected resistance from members of Colombia’s elite who do not want the paramilitaries to divulge information that may implicate them. "Confession means truth," Pardo said. "But truth is not desired by people who have supported the guerrilla or the paramilitaries financially or have collaborated with these groups in other ways.”
One reason truth is not desirable to some in the current negotiation is that influential sectors within the Colombian armed forces are closely linked to the paramilitary, a fact that was confessed under oath for the first time by two former Colombian Army officials with more than 30 years of military employment. Both are currently being tried by the Attorney General’s Office for the massacre at Mapiripan; they are accused of negligence in stopping the paramilitaries from committing one of the most infamous acts of brutality in recent memory.
This negligence continues, as testifies the ONIC statement shared by Marta. It reports that fifty-eight indigenous persons have been assassinated by the paramilitaries since the beginning of the negotiations and their agreement to halt all acts of aggression in June, 2004. “It appears to us that [government representatives] have shifted the balance to the side of a strange peace based on silence and forgetfulness” expresses the statement.
Marta, a member of the Embera Katío, is herself a victim of paramilitary violations. In 2001, her father Kimy Pernía Domicó, a leader in the nonviolent struggle against the construction of a Canadian funded hydro-electric dam on the tribe’s ancestral territory in Tierralta, Cordoba, was disappeared. This particular indigenous community has lost numerous other traditional leaders to disappearances and selective assassinations and has been displaced twice by paramilitary violence. Tierralta is in the same county as Santa Fe de Ralito where the negotiation process between the government and paramilitary has been taking place, without any invitation to the Embera Katío or any other victim groups to participate.
The challenge facing Colombia is to agree on legislation that responds to the needs of victims, addressing the issues of truth and justice, while at the same time convincing the paramilitary that this is the right option for them, a difficult task in a country with 98% impunity and a history of military-paramilitary collaboration. Only a process that leads to the transformation of those who have committed violence, to the healing of those who have suffered, and which sets the basis for reconciliation, will lead to lasting peace. This edition of the Sister Sanctuary Church Newsletter seeks to explore issues of restorative justice in the current Colombian context, including the biblical reflection of a member of a Sanctuary for Peace Church on the Atlantic Coast.
In order to encourage the Protestant Church on a national level to take part in the reflection about a process of Truth, Justice and Reparation for Colombia, Justapaz commenced a series of dialogues to which we initially invited leaders and ministers from the Anabaptist Churches.
Community discernment will lead, we hope, to discernment of the role the evangelical church may play in this peace process between the Colombian government and paramilitary leaders. The church is called to announce the gospel of peace and to denounce sin, to be salt and light as a part of a ministry of reconciliation. This is a great challenge for the country and it is a long journey which has just begun for the government through what is currently being called, the Justice and Peace Legal Project.
For the nation it is important to understand the biblical perspective of truth, justice and reparation, where the victim plays a mayor role. Jesus highlighted the important role of the victimized when proclaiming his ministry mentioning the poor, the captive, the blind and the oppressed (Lucas 4:18-21). We also see the importance of sharing a biblical perspective, as one of the perspectives of various sectors of society, if a true dynamic of participation is desired.
Out of this process of discernment, a document with biblical foundation has been developed “Christian Church Proposals for general guidelines in the Truth, Justice and Reparation Project, in search of National Reconciliation”and presented in a public audience summoned by Chamber Representative Alirio Villamizar on April 28th. It was presented for the second time during the Third National Congress of Reconciliation of the Episcopal Conference and Social Ministry, celebrated in Bogotá May 23 to 25.
Our goal is for this document to be a tool which propels churches to enter into their own biblical reflection. We invite you to read the attached copy of the document and consider the following advocacy actions.
How Colombians can participate in this process:
• Promote spaces for reflection on this theme in churches and local communities using as tools the church and government document.
• Send your comments to: justapaz@justapaz.org.
• Facilitate dialog between local churches and congress members committed to this topic.
How North Americans can take part in international advocacy:
• Send a proposal from your church to your Embassy in Colombia.
• Write to your government representatives soliciting a monitoring process of the legal project in order to assure it truly is a law which promotes justice.
• Send the “Christian Church Proposals for general guidelines in the Truth, Justice and Reparation Project, in search of National Reconciliation” proposal to president Alvaro Uribe and Senators promoting other proposals, including: Álvaro Uribe: Telefax: 571 337-5890, 571 342-0592; Rafael Pardo: Telefax: 571 382 4087; Gina Parody: Telefax: 571 566 2640, 566 2507
The U.S. government hasn’t completed the total disbursement of the military support to Colombia. This may be, in part, due to the international outcry made evident in activities such as the series of vigils carried out in front of the State Department in Washington, Colombian Consulates and other public places in 20 cities in the U.S.A. and Canada and at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá. “Our efforts are having a significant impact! The State Department could have released the 12.5 % of 2004 funds hinging on certification, but it has not. Our pressure is a major factor. State officials have said as much,” says one of the vigil organizers.
Vigil in front of the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá-Margarita Gil
“Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3:18” was written on one of the posters help by a group of 50 people belonging to different protestant and catholic churches, international organizations, and Colombian civil society who met together in front of the U.S. Embassy on May 6. The nonviolent vigil was in solidarity with peace communities and territories carrying out civil resistance, in particular to San José de Apartadó and Toribio, Cauca, and was held at the Embassy to make demands of the State Department and the Embassy.
At noon, participants arrived one by one, bringing liturgies, flowers and posters with Bible verses emphasizing the relationship between peace and justice. Gathered in front of the Embassy, they sang: “I ask for peace in my country, I ask forgivness for my country,” calling the Embassy to act justly and in memory of the events of February 21, when 8 people from the San José de Apartadó community were massacred, and April 14 when the FARC guerrilla launched an attack on the state security forces stationed in Toribio, Cauca, killing and wounding many and leading to a humanitarian crisis.
During the vigil an Embassy official came out of the compound to receive the demands of those gathered, a document requesting an official statement condemning the massacre in San José de Apartadó and requesting negation of the human rights certification required for military support to Colombia until there has been an investigation and trial in civilian court of those responsible for the massacres, who according to the affected communities belong to the Colombian army.
The document also requested a non-military State presence in the regions of Toribio, Cauca, and other peace territories, peace sanctuary churches, peace communities, humanitarian zones and other areas where civilians are in danger. It also included requests for the Colombian government and in consultation with the affected inhabitants as required by the International Criminal Court.
Vigils in United States and Canada-Janna Bowman
Led by children and a stroller brigade, we marched to the State Department. We gathered signatures and sent faxes, called members of Congress, and leafleted in cities across the country. We stood with Colombians seeking justice outside the gates of the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá. We delivered soil and water from conflicted Colombian land to a Congressional office and were arrested and jailed. We spoke to U.S. State Department, Embassy and Colombian Consulate officials. We brought friends to the issue through memorial alters of 150 stones bearing the names of civilian casualties and prayer services in our churches. We were in the press and were published. We spoke out - in public parks, in front of federal buildings, from our pulpits and the pews, at checkout lines and bus stops. We organized daylong letter writing campaigns, children’s activities, and worship services to educate and send messages to policy makers. We heard the pleas of Colombians in exile - Afro-Colombian mothers, indigenous leaders and clergy -to change U.S. policy and practice in Colombia. May these voices continue to propel us forward.
We are the hundreds of people gathered at over 20 locations around the United States, in Bogotá, Colombia and in British Columbia the weekend of May 6-8. We stood for justice and protection for vulnerable communities and against U.S. support for the Colombian military urging the U.S. State Department to withhold certification on Colombia pending thorough investigation of the San Jose de Apartado massacre and greater strides in breaking army-paramilitary links; that the U.S. Embassy issue a public statement condemning the massacre; encourage protection of vulnerable Colombian communities and aid for victimized communities.
Witness for Peace convened and led this ad-hoc coalition that promoted grassroots actions. Our first success was a National Call-in Day to Congress, April 26, urging our Members to reject Bush’s request to renew failed Plan Colombia policy. The second campaign action, vigils
on Mother’s Day weekend is a true sign of a building movement, with local activists and church leaders continuing to send us reports of actions that took place without the knowledge of the coordinating body.
Colombia peace activists are not the only ones in high gear. Congress is already moving on Colombia legislation; the House Colombia vote could be as early as June 27th! That means we need to step up our outreach and calls for policy change for the 2006 Colombia Aid Bill ($731 million) now.
Information on how to communicate this message to congress found in the "Tools for Activists" section of the Latin American Working Group website: http://www.lawg.org/tools/contacting_congress.htm.
Recommended “Blueprint for a New Colombia” for your Congress members: http://www.lawg.org/countries/colombia/blueprint.htm.
After working for almost 8 years with the Swedish Movement for Reconciliation (SweFOR) and four years of work in Colombia with Justapz and other organizations, Eduardo Villanueva, a 32-year old Chilean-born sociologist, is preparing to face new challenges in Sweden, his country of residence, where at age 14 he arrived as a refugee together with his parents, fleeing from the Augusto Pinochet dictatorship.
What is SweFOR?
SweFOR is an independent ecumenical movement, made up of Catholics, Protestants, and even Muslims; it has three thousand associates, and a network of more or less 200 parishes who work for peace along with the Swedish Christian Council, which is a part of the World Council of Churches. SweFOR believes in nonviolence from a spiritual standpoint, and in peace with justice. This means not only the absence of war, but all forms of justice: political, social and of the law. It works towards reconciliation from the standpoint of truth, justice and reparation. The members of SweFOR, while believing in nonviolence, are aware that they alone cannot change the world. For this reason, they believe in (forming) networks and alliances, in the North as well as the South. “Since we are not an agency, we have no counterparts, we have allies.”
When did SweFOR arrive in Colombia?
SweFOR has been in Colombia since the year 2001. Before that time exchange of communication existed between us (Colombians) and various Swedish organizations already present in Colombia, such as Diakonia, Caritas Sweden, Civis, the Swedish Lutheran Church, and the International Agency of Swedish Pentecostal Churches.
The first encounter with Justapaz took place in San Andrés, that same year, during a consultation with Juan Pablo Lederach about the search for the integration of civil society.
We have begun work in Colombia slowly, in response to requests made to us. Our objective is to try to understand what is happening in the different regions, and I say trying because Colombia is multifaceted and multicultural as a country, with the longest-lasting internal armed conflict in Latin America. I speak of regions because each region in Colombia has very different ways of solving conflicts, which complicates the process. We must learn from the work done in the South, from the innovative methods used there in the work for peace.
How has the work in Colombia taken place?
We support the processes, but the changes in Colombia must be made by the Colombians, since they are the ones who must agree on what kind of society they want. When I speak about Colombia, I begin speaking, not about the conflict, but about the people who work for peace.
In Colombia we have worked through the “International Peace Service”, which consists of three areas:
• Preventive presence: we send volunteers to conflict areas, where they support local efforts to build peace and protect human rights defenders. At the moment there ar six persons from SweFOR in Colombia.
• Exchange for peace: networks and international alliances. During the past four years four members of Justapaz (Maricely Parada, Lucila Niño, Jaime Meza and Jenny Neme) have taken part in the “South-South Exchange” training program for international accompanying observers, offered by SweFOR in Stockholm, where they were trained in Human Rights, Conflict Resolution, and Nonviolence, among other areas.
• Lobbying, to influence policies at the national level in Sweden, and whenever possible, at the European level. Journalists are given information not only about the war, but also about the work of the peace organizations, including the positive aspects of this work, as well as information about persons who have given up their life projects in order to work for peace. This area also includes the strengthening of the incidence networks. In order to accomplish this purpose in Colombia, four workshops on Nonviolence have been given with an inter-denominational group of young people, and a regional process has been undertaken as well, with pastors and leaders from Antioquia and Chocó.
“I would like to thank Justapaz, the Mennonite Church and the CEDECOL Commission for Restoration, Life and Peace, not only for their work, but also for the friendship and affection they have given me throughout these years.”
Eduardo Villanueva
At the beginning of 2005 Justapaz received a visit from Eduardo Villanueva of the Fellowship of Reconciliation in Sweden (SweFOR) and Gustavo Cabreraa of Peace and Justice Service (Serpaj) in Costa Rica. They facilitated the second round of SweFOR workshops “The Church and Nonviolence” in Cachipay and Medellín with support from Alba Arrieta, Jaime Meza and Astrid Zuluaga of Justapaz and the Commission of Restoration, Life and Peace of CEDECOL respectively.
Medellin Workship-Astrid Zuluaga
A workshop on alternatives to violence realized in Medellín drew 22 participants representing five regions, members of the various denominations including Four Square, Caribbean Association of Evangelical Churches, Evangelical Missionary Union of Colombia, The Evangelical Pact, Christian Cross, Interamerican, Assembly of God, and Mennonite. With only 5 woman participants, we have not yet been able to find balanced participation of both genders.
The event, called “The Church and Nonviolence” was made up of three stages. The first consisted of work on an individual level led by Alba Arrieta, while the second stage focused on Biblical and theological foundations for non violence led by Gustao Cabrera. The third stage was about nonviolent direct action and our commitment to nonviolence with the support of Eduardo Villanueva and Astrid Zuluaga.
Gustavo’s theological intervention was very valiant, and he showed great flexibility in understanding the environment of resistance to the liberal terminology being used in the workshop. He was able to deepen the conversation and bring the participants to a broader theological understanding committed to nonviolence and the transformation of the reality.
We were confronted spiritually and impacted emotionally by Alba’s presentation of “Alternatives to Violence.” It helped developed our consciousness of the necessity of more work to break internalized cycles of violence expressed in our own lives. We also touched on the pastoral responsibility we have as Christian leaders and were invited to work in the areas of individual and private, familial and romantic relationship, and lastly in the wider arena of social and public affairs.
The workshop participants were from six congregations active in the work the Commission of Restoration, Life and Peace of CEDECOL. In the region we have dedicated our work principally to the formation of these churches and persons because they are the ones who push forward the work in their local area and have had a great impact with between 15 and 30 churches in each local area.
We have seen the group greatly mature, and individuals have showed greater commitment and expressed appreciation for the patience and accompaniment in their processes of mental evolution. Many participant are interested in working with the methodology “Alternatives to Violence.” We were also left with the challenge to follow up the workshop with greater commitment to the implementation of nonviolent action, and work teams en each local area to carry out work, including workshops and the celebration of Pan y Paz, the Colombian Mennonite Churches response to the United Nation’s International Day of Peace, in all five local areas.
Cachipay Workshop-Margarita Gil
The workshop on Alternatives to Violence in Cachypay, February 18 through 20, drew youth from distinct churches from the Anabaptist tradition and the Commission of Restoration, Life and Peace. The presenters, format and themes reflect the workshop in Medellín but included practical exercises and non violent action roll plays.
The three days of the workshop where full of challenges for the young participants, who struggle to build God’s kingdom in the midst of a violent society. One of their tasks was to evaluate commitments they’d made to their local communities and national reality the year before when they participated in the first of the two workshops. They shared about nonviolent expression in their local communities and how they were able to carry out nonviolent actions they’d committed to the year before. They also made new commitments for 2005 and determined how to evaluate the work.
This cycle of reflection on nonviolence was carried out with the support of SweFOR which expects to continue its work with another cycle for youth from communities of faith not yet trained in nonviolence.
We are sisters and brothers, together expressing love and solidarity across national borders, and strengthening the community of faith...
When we reach out to others, it is not only to encourage giving up the use of arms, but also to disarm hearts. In light of the forgiveness of Jesus, this means recognizing the darkness within each one of us, but it also means going a step further to assume the consequences of our actions, to weep with those who suffer, to repair the damage that has been done, and to plant the seeds of hope.
In the midst of a violent context, where it would seem justice has no place, and where the word justice is used with various meanings, it is difficult for us to see the original meaning. It is there, in the midst of this confusion, where we find the challenge of understanding what justice and peace are.
Today in Colombia, many voices have something to say about justice. Some say they have taken justice into their own hands, as if justice were an object which can be used to degrade society or the community where we live. We as a church must daily assume the challenge of discerning what justice is, as even in our church environment we hear voices calling for justice which instead of helping, confuse us.
Today in our country there are many legislative projects which speak of justice, but our Colombian brothers and sisters, victims of the conflict, have not had their say in what justice and reparation mean to them. Instead a few who believe they have the right to decide, have moved forward with these projects without consulting the victims of this conflict. Justice without reparation and without recognition of the harm that has been done, is another form of aggression and continues to harm communities.
A process of justice must include practical and concrete aspects, such as restoration of lands, basic services in education, health and job opportunities, as well as the necessary conditions for the normal development of the communities, in this way mitigating the psychological impact.
At the moment the development of these peace processes fill us with doubt, because, while the judicial aspect is defined, many of the victimizers are roaming our towns and streets as if they have done no wrong. In some cases victimizers live across the street from the same families who have had one or several of their relatives assassinated by them. As if the loss were not enough, they must see their family members’ assassins every day. So we ask again, what justice are we speaking about? Who negotiates with whom, the victim and the victimizer? or only armed actors in the conflict? Our idea is that the victims should have a say in the negotiations, as many families of victims are requesting. They should be present to express their thoughts on justice and reparation.
In order for a process of justice and reparation to take place, we believe the victims should be seated together with the victimizers, with processes of reconciliation taking place, including recognition of the damage done and repentance on the part of the victimizers. Repentance should not merely be a public speech or handing in arms but something transformative. It should include reparation being experienced in practice and offer seeds of hope.
In the gospels we find an example of a man who repented and repaired the damage he had done by returning four times the amount he had taken from others . What a wonderful biblical principal, forgiveness given after repentance demonstrated by reparation. If only we could make if a reality today in our context.
As local communities we hope that peace is possible. As churches, we must guard that the concept of justice returns to its original meaning, and that this is mirrored in the daily lives of our congregations, where many times justice does not find much acceptance. This is why it is a challenge for each Sanctuary for Peace congregation to express justice in all aspects of daily life. Peace will appear as a result of acting justly, and these small-scale models will serve our society, which is searching for models which will bring us peace.
Seven months after armed men entered a Christian church in Putumayo, killing four people and wounding 16, and three months after having been retained for a some hours by the FARC, Pastor Angel Pinto from the Church of God in Puerto Asís shares his reflections with us.
We would also like to report on the results of the solidarity campaign undertaken on his behalf by Justapaz and the Commission of Restoration, Life and Peace of CEDECOL. As a result of the campaign, Putumayo authorities received over 200 messages highlighting the situation that Angel Pinto and other pastors of the region find themselves in. Heeding the national and international call, they have provided some protective measures.
Pastor Angel Pinto expresses his deep gratitude for the commitment, solidarity, and support he has received.
“In a country battered by war, administrative corruption and social injustice, with so much uncertainty and internal conflicts weighing down our families, our churches and society, only the Lord’s provision allows us to persist and not be discouraged by the unending daily struggles.
It’s good to know that when we experience difficulties, that God’s promises are more powerful. I have witnessed this when under the power of the FARC guerrilla, the AUC, or common delinquents, who have for some reason declared themselves our enemies and who persecute us. We are like the seed growing in the midst of thorns referred to in the Gospel.
It is Jesus who I see and sense very near in these moments of persecution, solitude, illness, and testing. He is with me not only with the purpose of teaching me and showing me his love, but in order to give me the means to overcome these difficulties with his mighty power.” - Angel M. Pinto M.
SISTER PEACE CHURCH,
SANCTUARIES OF PEACE
NEWSLETTER
Compiled by Charlotte Shristi
Edited by Paul Stucky, Margarita Gil, Jenny Neme, Maricely Parada, and Charlotte Shristi
Translated by Rudy Heller, Lucio Gil and Vicky Valencia
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact the Sister Peace Church Committee of
Justapaz and the Restoration, Life and Peace Commission of CEDECOL
Charlotte Shristi, Jenny Neme, Bonnie Klassen, Olga Fonseca:
iglesiashermanas@justapaz.org
Phone: (571) 571-0010/2856315/2326080/2873968
Av. Calle 32 No. 14-42
Bogotá D.C.-Colombia-South America
© 2007 JUSTAPAZ · Developed by Atarraya