LWR CELEBRATES IMPORTANT CHANGES MADE IN U.S. – COLOMBIA POLICY
January 17, 2008
Dear Friends of Colombia,
Thanks to your commitment and advocacy efforts on behalf of Colombians, the U.S. government recently committed more funds to promote peace, economic development and human rights in Colombia than ever before!
This represents a shift in the U.S. military aid package--Plan Colombia—a shift that will more effectively address root causes of conflict in Colombia and will help open a path to sustainable peace in the country.
After much anticipation, the 2008 Foreign Appropriations Bill, was signed into law last week by President George Bush. This bill:
- Reduces military aid to Colombia-- the first time military aid has been decreased since the inception of Plan Colombia in 2001.
- Establishes a new balance between military and economic/social aid, allocating
- 56.6% of funds for military spending and 43.4% for social and economic aid.
- Greatly increases support for economic development to nearly $236 million.
- Decreases aid for the environmentally destructive aerial fumigation programs.
- Increases the amount of U.S. aid that must be conditioned on Colombia’s human rights record to 30%.
- Includes human rights conditions, requiring the military to respect Afro-Colombian and Indigenous territories—this includes the territory of many LWR partners in Colombia.
- Includes $15 million in development aid for Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities, and restricts investment in oil palm development if it causes people to be displaced or environmental damage.
Another important part of this legislation includes earmarks, or language, that directs funds to crucial programs, including:
- $8 million for human rights activities in Colombia.
- $3 million for Colombia’s Attorney General’s office—including money to represent victims in human rights cases.
- $5.5 million for judicial reform.
- $5 million for removal of landmines and medical assistance.
TAKE ACTION
Widely celebrated by LWR partners, these changes translate into more concrete U.S. support for peace in Colombia than in years past. Nonetheless, there are still more changes to be made before peace in Colombia becomes a reality—and many of these could be made in 2009!
- In the future, we would like to see all U.S. aid to Colombia subject to human rights conditions.
- Make support for economic and social development the bulk of U.S. funding to Colombia and further decrease military funding.
- End the aerial fumigation program and support alternative development for impoverished farmers.
To help improve 2009 legislation, begin now by:
- Participating in Ecumenical Advocacy Days this March Register Here
- Getting your congregation to organize an event for Days of Prayer and Action on April 27 and 28 (more information to come on www.peaceincolombia.org)
PRAYER
We give thanks for peace in our lives and for the opportunity to support peace in the world. We pray that resources will be used to strengthen the spirit and efforts of peacemakers in Colombia, and that decision makers will continue promoting resolution to conflict in the country. We pray that the Lord’s strength will sustain all those working for peace.
THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE ACTIONS YOU HAVE TAKEN THAT HAVE MADE THIS CHANGE POSSIBLE
For more information, or to join the LWR advocacy network individually, please contact advocacy@lwr.org or Gretchen King at gking at lwr.org.
