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Updated:3/12/02 |
| Letter
to Secretary of State Colin Powell from U.S. non-governmental organizations,
February 22, 2002 22nd February 2002 Dear Secretary Powell, As international
observers of Colombia's peace process we express our deep concern at the
breakdown of peace negotiations between the Colombian government and the
Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC). We urge you to use
all possible means to ensure that the Colombian authorities fulfill their
obligation to protect the civilian population in the demilitarized zone
(DMZ). We condemn violations
of International Humanitarian Law by all armed actors, and in particular
the kidnapping of Senator Jorge Gechen Turbay, and we call on those responsible
for his abduction to immediately release him unharmed. The armed conflict
in Colombia has often trapped civilians between armed actors, causing
the deaths of tens of thousands of non-combatants and the displacement
of nearly two million ordinary Colombians. We call on both sides to respect
the rights of the civilian population as stated under International Humanitarian
Law, especially at a moment of increased tension and fighting. In particular we
express our concern for those people living in the demilitarized zone.
As the Colombian Armed Forces occupy the DMZ, we urge the Colombian government
to rigorously fulfill its obligations, under Colombian and international
law, to protect the human rights of the civilian population who live in
the region. We call on the Colombian authorities to protect the civilian
population against possible reprisals by paramilitary forces, who have
repeatedly and publicly announced their intention to enter the DMZ during
any reoccupation of the area. Furthermore, we urge
you to make clear to the Colombian government that recent US military
assistance to Colombia, including Black Hawk and Huey helicopters delivered
to Colombian authorities in the last few months, was allocated by Congress
for counternarcotics operations only. We ask you to ensure that no US
military equipment or US funded battalions are used in the operation to
retake the DMZ. We commend the work
of the many individuals, ordinary Colombians, academics, social leaders
and members of the government, who continue to support a political solution
as the only viable outcome to this conflict. Yours sincerely, Neil Jeffery Marie Dennis David Moczulski,
OFM Rev. Elenora Giddings
Ivory Patricia Forner Coletta Youngers Jason Hagen Edward (Ned) W. Stowe Martha Honey Ann Butwell Scott Wright Sandra Alvarez Kevin B. Zeese Wes Callender Steve Bennett Susan Saudek Gary L. Cozette Barbara Gerlach and
Cristina Espinel Ingrid Vaicius Rick Ryscavage Rev. John L. McCullough John Lindsay Poland Holly Miller Lynn M. Thomas David A. Vargas James Matlack Alice Zachmann Sanho Tree J.E. McNeil David Schott
Curt Strubble, Deputy
Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs Senator Chafee James LeMoyne, UN Secretary General's Special Representative on the Peace Process in Colombia
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