Summary

• As foreign aid, drug money, and corruption bolster the armed forces, guerrillas, and paramilitaries, the armed conflict in Colombia continues to intensify in scope and brutality.
• A recent delegation to Colombia heard reports that security for much of the civilian population has deteriorated, political space for legitimate dissent and the defense of basic human rights is being undermined, and dire human needs continue to go unaddressed, exacerbating an already severe humanitarian crisis.
• The delegation found that in Colombia a vibrant civil society is engaged in a search for peace. Despite the stalling of the national peace process, civil society continues to find ways to encourage peace and development, even in the midst of life-threatening conflict. Churches, non-governmental groups, and local and regional authorities are designing and implementing programs that offer alternatives to violence. Some are engaging in dialogues with local paramilitary and guerrilla forces to establish zones of peace that the armed actors agree to respect. These local and regional peace initiatives are laying the groundwork for confidence-building measures that could lead to broader initiatives for peace at the national level.
• There is much the United States could do to improve the chances of reconciliation in Colombia while at the same time more effectively pursuing its counter-narcotics and anti-terrorism agenda. It can, for example, support efforts to address basic human needs (such as access to food, water, clothing, shelter, and employment), provide alternate development options, and support effective demobilization programs. If due process and accountability are to prevail over armed conflict and personalized violence, re-establishing the rule of law and creating conditions that will increase confidence in the judicial system are also essential.

About the Report

This report is based on material gathered during and after a delegation visit to Colombia from February 14 to 20, 2003, organized by the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), to evaluate the effects of the internal armed conflict on Colombian civil society. Virginia M. Bouvier, program officer for the Jennings Randolph Fellowship Program of the United States Institute of Peace and a specialist on Latin America, participated in the WOLA delegation, moderated a subsequent conference on Colombia on April 22, 2003 at the Institute, and researched and authored this report.

Other delegation members included Congressman James P. McGovern (D-MA); Charles Currie, President, Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities; Kimberly Stanton, Deputy Director, WOLA; Eric Olson, Advocacy Director for the Americas, Amnesty Inter-national; Thomas Hoyt, President-elect, National Council of Churches; Steve Beckman, Assistant Director, Governmental and International Affairs Department, United Auto Workers; Saul Nieves, Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ, New York; Roberto Pagan Rodriguez, President, Puerto Rican Workers' Union (SPT); Ellen Lutz, Executive Director, Center for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution, The Fletcher School of Diplomacy, Tufts University; Cindy Buhl, Legislative Director, Office of Rep. McGovern; Jason Hagen, Associate for Colombia, WOLA; and Tina Hodges, Program Assistant for Mexico and the Andes, WOLA.