eace is possible in Colombia, but cannot be obtained with war. This was the statement issued yesterday in Rome by the Caritas Internationalis in presenting its international campaign for peace in the South American nation, torn by over 40 years of internal conflict.
The initiative was presented by Monsignor Héctor Fabio Henao, director of the Caritas Colombia, known for its action in favour of peace and development in some of the most dangerous zones of the nation, and the human rights expert Clare Dixon of Cafod (Caritas Britain and Wales), active in humanitarian actions in Latin America since the 70’s, during the Pinochet regime in Chile.
There is a lack of conscience on how any war can have devastating effects for the entire planet. I particularly think of some words of the Pope: on several occasions the Pontiff said that we must feel part of the human community, the human family; without this awareness real peace will not be possible.
In reiterating full support for the stand of the CEC (Colombian Bishops Conference), convinced that peace will only be possible through negotiations and maintained with social justice, the Caritas Internationalis pledged to give impulse to different initiatives in the hope that the international community contributes to a “negotiated and just peace” for Colombia with solidarity and political commitment.
The initiative will last three years and among other things include diplomatic action, and of other nature, for the promotion of political negotiations between the armed parts in conflict and for the recognition of the humanitarian crisis and rights of the victims. The Colombian State will be called to establish coherent national policies for the opening of peace negotiations and build social justice for the entire civil population, as well as implementing
programs for the resolution of the humanitarian crisis.
“In his message to the Colombian Bishops, recently received in an ‘ad limina apostolorum’ visit, the Pope said that the duty of the Colombian Church is to work for peace and reconciliation. It is in response to this appeal that the Caritas Internationalis launches this campaign”, stated to MISNA Monsignor Henao at the conclusion of the press conference.
According to the prelate, the Colombian war is still today considered a ‘local conflict’, despite the serious repercussions of the humanitarian crisis in
neighboring nations. “Unfortunately there is a lack of conscience on how any war can have devastating effects for the entire planet. I particularly think of some words of the Pope: on several occasions the Pontiff said that we must feel part of the human community, the human family; without this awareness real peace will not be possible”, added Monsignor Henao. In regard to the negotiation underway between the administration of President Alvaro Uribe and the paramilitaries of the AUC (United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia), the director of Caritas Colombia underlined the importance of the
demobilization of the armed group, a very vast movement that still has influence in a large part of the Colombian territory.
“But above all, as underlined by Cardinal Pedro Rubiano Sáenz in his speech at the Bishops assembly, there must be a guarantee for respect of the truth and conditions for real justice, the recognition of the grief inflicted on the victims and repair for the damages”.
According to Monsignor Henao, hope still remains for the opening of new negotiations with the guerrillas of the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia). “The government recently proposed an exchange of hostages held by the guerrilla and this is an important gesture; another relevant fact being that the FARC responded immediately, though not accepting any of the conditions, but expressing will to in future perfection an accord of this sort.
As stated by the high peace commissioner (Luis Carlos Restrepo), today there are no contacts between the sides, but if we maintain a strong civil society, decisive in its quest for peace, as well as the political will to achieve this, the path is not at all closed”.
(From MISNA)