Communities punished for not joining Columbia fighting

Colombian security forces and guerrilla groups are punishing people who refuse to be part of the conflict across Colombia, human rights groups say. Some communities have for years suffered attacks from both sides in the conflict for simply defending their rights as civilians not to be drawn into the country’s long-running and bloody armed conflict involving outlawed armed groups and drug cartels.

Among the most affected are peasant farmer communities, according to human rights group, Amnesty International. “For some, attacks are designed to scare other communities from organising or to punish those which have already taken a stand,” said the campaign group’s Marcelo Pollack. In other cases, the attacks are aimed at moving communities off lands rich in natural resources or of strategic importance to one side or the other, he said.

Between three and four million people have been forced from their homes by the violence in Colombia where a left-wing Farc rebels continue their campaign against the government. And while right-wing groups are disarming under a peace initiative, the cash from the cocaine trade and kidnapping now dominate the rebels' agenda.
Whole communities across the central American country have been isolated and trapped, unable to access food or medicine because of the fighting or because of transport restrictions placed on them by the warring parties, who often argue that such goods are destined for their enemies.
“Colombia’s 40-year-long conflict is a story of countless shattered communities and human tragedies,” said Pollack. “Instead of punishing those who stand up for their right not to be part of a conflict, the security forces, paramilitaries and guerrillas should respect them.”

Rights campaigners are calling for the government to protect these communities caught up in the fighting and for the warring parties must to respect the right to life of these communities and ensure that they are not dragged into the conflict.

By Hayley Jarvis for SOS Children