Some Victims in Colombia

Land Victim

Learning about Victim´s Law

Mother tells of personal attack

Some Victims in Colombia

When we received training as potential accompaniers, we learned about the continuing desire of the Iglesia Presbiteriana de Colombia to minister to victims of injustice.  We have wanted to be open to an expanding understanding of the breadth of experiences which produce victims.  January 2012 marked the implementation of the Victim’s Law.

Victimization includes murder of parents leaving children without a family, the loss of land denying farmers their vocation, physical attack which produces disability, and the lack of adequate employment. All of these situations are a call for justice.

The church is trying to bring peace and justice. In cooperation with NGOs and international organizations Christian churches are working ecumenically. Some individual victims continue to expect the church to give them more direct aid while others recognize the value in helping themselves. The IPC promotes self-development of the people.  Victimization is a continuing issue in Colombia and some told us “we are all victims.”

We met two young adults whose father, a mayor, was assassinated because he brought a charge of higher government corruption.  The son left the country in fear but returned after two years to help other victims.

Another contact is a woman who was brutally attacked seventeen years ago.  She was a secretary for a local government official.  After extensive medical treatment, therapy and fear, her whole family moved several times.  Her brother was killed.  Her current employment situation is thwarted by her disfigurement, and her daughter’s education has been disrupted by continued moves.  After seventeen years, this woman and her family continue to experience post-traumatic stress.

We traveled as an ecumenical group with members of human rights agencies to meet with indigenous people who have received a ‘communal’ parcel of land.  It was clear that this pre-Victims Law settlement has not been satisfactory largely due to the  government’s failure to provide a 9km road to their farmland.

Another woman told of her family’s experience in being victimized in a financial transaction involving the purchase of land for a tomato farm.  The bank took several expenses off the top of the loan before any funds changed hands. Government red tape slowed completion of the project yet money is still owed and the tomato workers have nothing to show for the effort. In the department of Atlantica, 95 government projects were proposed to get people back to work but only five have actually started functioning.

The Victim’s Law has been enacted by the national government in an effort to resolve some of the injustices experienced by the people.  A lawyer spoke for over an hour about elements in the Law and was forthright in suggesting that the process of applying for and receiving reparations will be complex.  There will be limits to the length of time one has to apply, and some legitimate victims will become discouraged before getting reparations.

We have had the chance to observe several groups of representatives of social service agencies discussing how they are attempting to aid victims.  We heard about public demonstrations and bumper-sticker/sign publicity to protest a new real estate tax.

We were impressed by the work of a Women’s Rights organization which receives support from the Presbyterians.  They provide education about domestic abuse. It is one concrete response from Presbyterians promoting justice for victims.

Most terrorists and paramilitaries are still around. A few top leaders have been jailed as a show but the majority of “foot soldiers” continue acts of terror.

What is God calling us to do about victimization in Colombia?  The IPC continues to discern how to respond to the need to accompany victims.   As PCUSA accompaniers, we too, are still listening and learning.

Respectfully submitted,

David Eaton, Anne Eaton, Connie Cochran

February 17, 2012