08/06/2002

Larry Thompson of Refugees International recently visited Colombia and Venezuela to look into the plight of Colombian refugees and displaced persons. Our observations and findings were published in the bulletins, “Colombian Refugees in Venezuela” and “La Violencia in Colombia.”

Colombia has elected a new President, Dr. Alvaro Uribe Velez, who will be inaugurated on August 7. We recently wrote Dr. Uribe a letter with a summary of our views and recommendations that his government place priorities on meeting the needs of displaced persons and protecting human rights and that he enunciate a government priority of inclusion for displaced persons to foster a more united and cohesive Colombian.

We have also shared our observations and recommendations about Colombia with officials in Washington who have the responsibility for U.S. assistance and aid policy toward Colombia.

Dr. Alvaro Uribe Velez
President-Elect of Colombia
Colombia

Dear Dr. Uribe:

Refugees International recently visited Colombia to assess the situation of Colombians displaced by violence or threats of violence. Our representative met with Colombian government officials, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations in Bogota, Soache, and Barrancabermeja.

As you well know, more than one million Colombians have been displaced by violence during the last few years and most of them have fled to the major cities of Colombia. The government and aid organizations provide humanitarian and economic assistance to displaced people, but their living conditions are poor and the economic opportunities available to them are limited.

In visiting communities and talking to displaced persons, one theme was repeated to us over and over. The displaced feel like strangers in their own land. They have been uprooted from their rural communities—often by force—and they believe themselves unwelcome in the cities serving as places of refuge. They have difficulties in enrolling their children in school and getting access to services such as health care, water, electricity, and sanitation. They are called “invaders” and the new communities in which they live are often considered “illegal.” They often feel ignored—and, in fact, despised—by local government authorities.

Refugees International urges your government to make the displaced welcome in their new—and likely permanent—homes. Government programs to help achieve this aim might include legalization of the communities in which the displaced live, recognition of their ownership of the land on which they live, and the acceptance by federal and local governments of their obligation to provide health, education, and public services to these communities. A clearly-enunciated government policy of inclusion for displaced persons would not only be beneficial to displaced persons but would also foster a more united and cohesive Colombian society.

To address the needs of displaced persons, government institutions such as the Red de Solidaridad Social, Defensoria del Pueblo, and the Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar should be strengthened. These institutions give Colombia a solid foundation for aiding displaced persons, but we heard many complaints that the registration process for the displaced is too cumbersome and that humanitarian and economic aid is slow in reaching needy persons. Colombia is fortunate to have a large number of competent government, international, and non-governmental organizations.

Working together to hasten immediate aid and promote employment and enterprise by displaced persons is certainly within the capability of Colombian institutions. Your leadership is needed to ensure that the pressing needs of displaced persons are addressed as a priority of the government.

You have heard from other organizations about the importance of respect for human rights in Colombia. We agree—and we believe that an important component of human rights policy should be government programs to meet the needs of the displaced, Colombia’s poorest and most vulnerable citizens.

Thank you for your attention. We congratulate you on your election victory and wish you success in achieving a more peaceful and prosperous Colombia.

Sincerely,

Kenneth H. Bacon
President
Refugees International

James V. Kimsey
Chair of Board of Directors
Refugees International

Cc:
Doctor Francisco Santos
Vice-Presidente Electo

Embajador Luis Alberto Moreno
Embajada de Colombia
Estados Unidos de Norte America