Stand by Colombia's Victims of Violence

The US Office on Colombia (USOC) and the LAWG Education Fund (LAWGEF) brought a delegation of women to Washington in December 2006 from the Ruta Pacifica de las Mujeres, a coalition of women working for peace in Colombia. The women of "la Ruta" declare themselves "pacifist, feminist, and anti-militaristic." They routinely organize protests and large demonstrations in Colombia against the war and gender-based violence.

"As you are well aware, strengthening human rights, democracy, and the rule of law are principle bipartisan goals of U.S. foreign policy towards Colombia. We are therefore greatly concerned about increased threats and continued attacks against Colombian human rights defenders and other leaders of civil society." Read the full letter (PDF).

"We write to urge you to express your strong support for the United Nations High Comissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) Office in Colombia and the full renewal of its existing mandate. We believe the UNHCHR Office in Bogotá, Colombia plays a highly credible and invaluable role in the promotion of human rights in the country." Read the full letter (PDF).

Nosotros apoyamos a las víctimas de violaciones de derechos humanos en Colombia por el valiente trabajo que realizan en búsqueda de la verdad, la justicia y las reparaciones integrales. Damos la bienvenida a la Tercera Asamblea del Movimiento de Víctimas de Crímenes de Estado y sus valiosos esfuerzos por contribuir a la construcción de una sociedad más justa. La verdad y la justicia no son obstáculos para el camino de la paz. Más bien, son la base fundamental para una paz duradera en Colombia. Estamos juntos a las víctimas de la violencia en su reclamo por descubrir la verdad, consolidar el Estado de Derecho y decir, “Nunca mas”.

Heather Hanson
Executive Director
U.S. Office on Colombia

Gimena Sanchez-Garzoli
Senior Associate for Colombia and Haiti
Washington Office on Latin America

Rev. James R. Stormes, SJ
Secretary for Social and International Ministries
Jesuit Conference

Lisa Haugaard
Executive Director
Latin America Working Group

Adam Isacson
Director of Programs
Center for International Policy

Rev. T. Michael McNulty, SJ
Justice and Peace Director
Conference of Major Superiors of Men

Susana Pimiento-Chamorro
Colombia Program Coordinator
Fellowship of Reconciliation, Task Force on Latin America and the Caribbean

Stephen Coats
Executive Director
U.S./Labor Education in the Americas Project

Barbara Gerlach
Colombia Liaison
United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries

Rev. John L. McCullough
Executive Director and CEO
Church World Service

John I. Laun
President
Colombia Support Network

Kristele Younes
Advocate
Refugees International

Erik Cooke
Program Associate
Witness for Peace

Anne Barstow
Coordinator of Colombia Programs
Presbyterian Peace Fellowship