We join the cry for Colombia in defense of life and for guarantees of the right to protest.
The Oscar Arnulfo Romero International Christian Network in Solidarity with the Peoples of Latin America – SICSAL – supports the statements made by the European Union, the United Nations, the U.S. Congress and State Department, by international human rights organizations, and international social and popular movements, in this hour of resistance and hope for the Colombian people.
Massive demonstrations have continued – despite Covid -- forcing the government of Iván Duque to withdraw an unjust tax reform. Protestors are demanding real solutions to the complex political and social crisis that the country is facing. The protests have now reached the seventh day and have faced brutal repression by the government. Protesters have been killed and wounded with firearms. Young people have been shot in the face with anti-riot weapons. State agents have illegally raided and detained people, and used school playing fields for landings helicopters. The protestors have been peaceful for the most part.
On May 3, government authorities in Cali reached the extreme of brutally attacking a humanitarian commission made up of members of the Church, the United Nations, human rights organizations and civilian observers. The commission denounced the attack stating that “members of the commission received threats and attacks, and were shot at by the police, who faced no repercussions for their actions.”
Former President Uribe encouraged the state forces to fire on the protesters and hours later President Duque ordered the army to take to the streets in violation of the constitutional rights that protect citizens.
We remind the Colombian police and military that, as Monsignor Oscar Arnulfo Romero said, they are not obliged to shoot at their own people and that before an order to kill, the law of God prevails that says Thou Shalt Not Kill. To the government of Colombia and to the public forces, we say with San Romero, in the name of God: "I beg you, I beseech you, I order you, stop the repression."
We call on the international community in solidarity with Colombia to continue vigilant against the erosion of the rule of law in the country. We demand that conditions be guaranteed for a nonviolent solution to the current crisis. That is the hope of the great majority of Colombians mobilizing for peace.
International Christian Network in Solidarity with the Peoples of Latin America Oscar Arnulfo Romero - SICSAL-
Mons. Raúl Vera López (Mexico) The Rev. Emilie Teresa Smith (Canada)
Co-Chair Co-Chair
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Vidal Rivas (United States), Maricarmen Montes (Mexico),
Kora Martínez (Central America), Julín Acosta (Caribbean), Gerardo Duré (Southern Cone), José Manuel Mira (Europe), Sean Cleary (Asia-Pacific)
Abilio Peña Buendía (Colombia) Secretary Armando Márquez Ochoa (El Salvador) Secretary