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Building a Just Peace in Colombia -- Day 3

An Ecumenical Delegation
June 26-July 8, 2002

The genocide against Afro-Colombians is a long, historical process. It is difficult to remember all the horrific details, but I have tried my best to write down the events that most stick out in my mind.

This violence is not gratuitous. It is an attempt to grab the natural resources that we have protected for generations, in order to build mega-projects on our lands. How is it that the lives of innocent civilians cannot be protected from the violence of the armed conflict, while the big companies who want to steal our natural resources are being protected?

I have written about events in Afro-Colombian communities from 1996 to the present day. The Colombian government and the armed actors in the conflict are guilty of these genocidal acts, and will have to answer to God and world public opinion.

Marino Cordoba Berrio

President of the Association of Displaced Afro-Colombians (AFRODES)

This is from the Introduction to a piece written about the injustice and massacre of Afro-Colombians in Choco. If you are interested in reading anymore about his perspective on the events please email me at cecileg@ctucc.org.

The delegation will be meeting with representatives of the Afro-Colombian population. This population has a disproportionally higher rate of displacement from their homes and violence perpetrated against them.

The following are the members of the CT. Conference delegation:

• The Rev. Davida Foy Crabtree (Conference Minister; First Church in Windsor)
• Ms. Sarah Dowling (First Cong'l, Cheshire)
• Dr. Hugh McLean (First Church, Windsor)
• Ms. Kate McLean (First Church, Windsor)
• Ms. Lyn Shaw (First Church, Middletown)
• The Rev. Kent Siladi (Regional Minister, First Cong'l Guilford)
• The Rev. Jerry Streets (Church of Christ in Yale University)

• Justapaz of Colombia directed by Ricardo Esquivia
• Witness for Peace
• And the other members of the ecumenical delegation.
• And the people of Colombia.

God of peace, thank you for your promise of a peaceable kingdom. May we sow seeds of love, trusting that your Spirit will bring life from them. Amen.