Overture 04-65. On Urging Peace in Colombia, South America—From the Presbytery of Baltimore.

The Presbytery of Baltimore overtures the 216th General Assembly (2004) to do the following:

1. Join the Presbyterian Church of Colombia, Council of Churches of Colombia, and Colombia's Commission of Human Rights and Peace in calling for the transformation of the vicious circle of death and destruction produced by military aid into a “virtuous circle” of abundant life and peace, so that the Colombian people will begin to receive a different type of message from the north, sent by the church, a message of solidarity and respect for human life.

2. Decry the characterization of human rights workers as terrorists.

3. Commend the Nonviolent Communities of Resistance in Colombia who reject all military involvement.

4. Stand with our sisters and brothers in Colombia who are witnessing to the truth that peace cannot be achieved by violence.

5. Urge Presbyterians to go to Colombia to get to know our sisters and brothers there and better understand the realities they deal with every day.

Rationale

As the war in Colombia has escalated and evolved into part of the “war on terrorism,” and President Uribe has declared those who work to defend human rights as terrorists, Presbyterian church leaders and other Colombians have been put at risk. Presbyterians in Colombia who help displaced persons have too often appeared on “hit lists.”

They have asked for our help, by calling attention to their plight and coming to Colombia to stand with them and to learn of their situation firsthand.

They have taught us of International Humanitarian Law that allows for communities to organize themselves into Humanitarian Zones. These Peace Communities in Colombia reject all military, guerilla, and paramilitary presence. More than fifty such communities have organized, and their numbers are growing. While these nonviolent communities of resistance offer hope, and they are reluctantly tolerated by the government, they are still somewhat vulnerable. They need our support, and the presence of internationals helps to ensure their security.

Our sisters and brothers in the church in Colombia want us to come, and share in their lives. There are many kinds of trips that could be arranged, from study tours, trips with presbyteries that have partnerships with presbyteries in Colombia, mission work camps, to standing in solidarity with the nonviolent communities of resistance.