Today, International Human Rights Day, I Support Colombia's Outcry for Peace.

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Today on International Human Rights Day, thousands of Colombians will take to the streets in support of the ongoing peace process. Bringing together the voices of victims of violence, women, trade unionists, artists, campesinos, students, intellectuals, indigenous and Afro-descendants, this mobilization aims to promote a peace process that includes a social and human rights agenda.

Colombians will express their support for peace and their continued outrage over the human costs of the war:  forced displacements, widespread massacres, threats against unionists and human rights activists, and the exclusion of indigenous and Afro-descendant communities. It’s a demonstration of hope, with Colombians coming together with the dream of creating a lasting peace. Even with the ongoing peace process, there still is a human rights crisis in Colombia. Displacement continues, with 2,700 people forced from their homes last month just in Buenaventura. Human rights defenders, journalists and union members continue to be harassed and threatened for the work they do. Land restitution under the Victims’ Law continues at a snail’s pace and is jeopardized by the presence of paramilitary successor groups that threaten the safe return of communities.     Here at the LAWG, we believe that in order to build a just and lasting peace, the underlying human rights, economic and social aspects of the conflict must be addressed. This means addressing human rights violations by all parties to the conflict and creating space for civil society participation in the peace process and its implementation. It means there must be truth, and there must be justice. There’s a long road ahead, but it’s time to say yes to peace. Thanks for all you do, Lisa and Omar The LAWG Colombia Team PS: If you are in the DC area today, join activists and civil society in the U.S. for a vigil for peace in Colombia. Click here for more information.

Latin America Working Group 424 C Street NE, Washington, DC 20002  Phone: (202) 546-7010     Email: lawg@lawg.org

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