June 23, 2016
Download this public statement as a PDF.
After a half century of brutal war, the Colombian government and FARC guerrillas have reached an agreement for a bilateral ceasefire, holding out the promise that a final peace agreement is near.
We welcome this historic step forward. At the same time, there are tremendous challenges ahead, including to launch successful negotiations with the last remaining major guerrilla group, the ELN; and to dismantle the paramilitary successor groups that continue intimidating and harming communities throughout Colombia. And the major challenge will be to build peace from the ground up, ensuring that the victims of violence have real access to truth, justice, reparations and the guarantee that the violent past will not return.
As Colombia moves towards a negotiated settlement, we urge the international community to support efforts to build a just and lasting peace.
AFL-CIO
Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America (CRLN)
Christian Solidarity Worldwide – UK
Friends Committee on National Legislation
International Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights
Latin America Working Group (LAWG)
Oxfam
Mennonite Central Committee U.S. Washington Office
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate-Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Office
Presbyterian Church (USA)
United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries
United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society
Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA)
Organizaciones de la sociedad civil estadounidense apoyan cese de fuego bilateral en Colombia
23 de junio de 2016
Descárga esta declaración pública como PDF.
Después de medio siglo de conflicto brutal, el gobierno de Colombia y la guerrilla de la FARC han llegado a un acuerdo para implementar un cese de fuego bilateral, brindando la esperanza que un acuerdo para lograr la paz será finalizado en el futuro cercano.
Celebramos este paso histórico. A la vez, hay desafíos enormes todavía para enfrentar, incluyendo la necesidad de avanzar en negociaciones exitosas con la otra fuerza guerrillera, el ELN; y desmantelar las estructuras de los grupos sucesores a los paramilitares que siguen intimidando y haciendo daño a las comunidades colombianas. Y el desafío mayor será construir la paz desde los territorios, asegurando que las víctimas de la violencia lograrán aceso real a la verdad, la justicia, las reparaciones y la garantía de no-repetición.
En este momento en que Colombia avanza hacia una salida negociada, urgimos que la comunidad internacional apoye todos los esfuerzos para construir una paz justa y duradera.
AFL-CIO
Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America (CRLN)
Christian Solidarity Worldwide – UK
Friends Committee on National Legislation
International Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights
Latin America Working Group (LAWG)
Oxfam
Mennonite Central Committee U.S. Washington Office
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate-Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Office
Presbyterian Church (USA)
United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries
United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society
Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA)
