A RESOLUTION of the NATIONAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN THE USA
Resolution on Peace in Colombia and U.S. Counter-narcotics Policy
Adopted by the NCCC Executive Board, February 27, 2001
The Policy Statement on Human Rights, of the National
Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA affirms that "Christians believe.
that every person is of intrinsic worth before God, and that every individual
has a right to the fullest possible opportunities for the development of
life abundant and eternal." Viewed through this lens, current U.S. counter-narcotics
policies are detrimental for the people of Colombia, and may be a loss
for those suffering from drug addictions in the U.S. as well.
Funding for international narcotics control and
law enforcement activities is one of the fastest growing foreign aid programs.
The dramatic increase in counter-narcotics assistance is troubling, particularly
because a considerable portion will be channeled into national security
forces in countries with severe human rights violations, such as Colombia.
Over the last decade, the United States has spent
over $25 billion in international drug control efforts. These efforts have
at times temporarily succeeded in curbing production in a particular country,
but have failed to stop the tide of drugs. Diminished cocaine production
in Bolivia and Peru, for example, resulted in dramatic increases in Colombia.
Meanwhile, drugs remain readily accessible within
the United States. The number of people who die from drug-related causes
has increased every year since 1979. The availability of drugs to high
school students has increased. Moreover, mandatory minimum sentencing laws
result in nonviolent drug offenders serving longer jail terms than violent
criminals. These laws have contributed to making the United States the
country with the largest per capita incarcerated population. Racial and
economic disparities in enforcing drug laws have torn apart the very families
and communities hardest hit by drug-related violence. At the same time,
persons with drug addiction, desperate for support services, cannot get
treatment.
Colombia and the Andean region need and deserve the
support of the international community in confronting their myriad challenges,
which include not only eliminating drug production and trafficking, but
fostering fragile democratic institutions and addressing profound economic
inequality. The situation in Colombia is tremendously complex. It is compounded
by Latin America's longest running internal conflict -- one that is involving
an increasing number of child soldiers. In this instance, despite its protestations,
US policy has combined counter-narcotics and counter-insurgency efforts
into a single package, with potentially disastrous results.
In the last fifteen years, Colombia's internal conflict
has produced over 2.1 million internally displaced persons, more than in
Kosovo or East Timor. An increasing number of persons are seeking refuge
in Panama, Ecuador and Venezuela.
The U.S. has responded to this situation by allocating
$1.3 billion to Colombia and the Andean region for an initiative called
"Plan Colombia," most of which will support the building of the military
apparatus in Colombia and aerial fumigation.
The honest and creative people Colombia, whether in
poverty or comfort, are hoping to improve their situation, and are tired
of suffering from or fearing human rights violations and the consequences
of corruption. Colombians want peace, and the Colombian churches are calling
on the churches of the US for assistance.
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Whereas, the US decision to focus on military force to combat narcotics,
in the context of an existing civil war, will undermine efforts for peace;
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Whereas, the "Plan Colombia" aid package will draw the U.S. deeper into
Colombia's civil war, potentially intensifying the conflict, undermining
democracy and the rule of law, and making the U.S. complicit in human rights
violations;
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Whereas, "Plan Colombia" includes plans for intensive aerial fumigation
that will displace many thousands more from southern Colombia, forcing
them off of their lands and deeper into the fragile rainforests or to city
slums, causing great human suffering in addition to potentially incalculable
environment damage;
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Whereas, according to international law the destruction of food crops -
in this instance by aerial fumigation -- is a human rights abuse;
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Whereas, this policy is unlikely to reduce the flow of drugs into the U.S,
but is rather more likely to displace drug production in Colombia to remote
areas or to neighboring countries at tremendous financial, environmental
and human cost;
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Whereas, we are deeply concerned about the threat that illegal drugs and
drug violence pose to children and communities in the US;
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Whereas, in the United States, an emphasis on law enforcement strategies
has failed to reduce demand or minimize the harm associated with drugs.
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Therefore be it resolved:
That CWSW and NCCC and their member communions advocate
with the U.S. Administration and Congress for policies and programs that
would:
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Support drug treatment and prevention programs to reduce the demand for
drugs in the U.S.
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Reject an increased U.S. military involvement in Colombia and the Andean
region;
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Support a negotiated peace process in Colombia with the active participation
of civil society;
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Support multilateral humanitarian, development and environmental initiatives,
working through the agencies of the United Nations and the Organization
of American States;
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Encourage and adequately fund Colombia to reform its judicial system, requiring
accountability through the elimination of automatic grants of immunity
or impunity, and providing for the prosecution in civilian courts of all
instances where military personnel have been implicated in human rights
abuses;
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Support programs for the protection of threatened human rights defenders,
civic, union and religious leaders, and judicial investigators;
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Support scientific and technological developments to develop innovative
and non-agriculturally based programs that provide new sources of income
for those who currently make their living raising crops for drug production;
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Provide increased humanitarian and development assistance to both the internally
displaced in Colombia and those who have sought refuge in neighboring countries;
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Undertake a transparent and credible investigation of the chemicals used
for crop eradication, including the implications of possibly using substances
which are banned for use in the US. That CWSW, on behalf of the NCCC and
its member communions, develop educational materials to inform their members
and others about the complexities of the situation in Colombia and the
increasing US role, in order to shape a more constructive US policy towards
the region.
That the churches in the US hold "Colombia-emphasis
Sundays" as moments to bring attention to this issue.
NCCC urges that CWSW, on behalf of its member communions,
develop and implement strategies to respond to the various humanitarian
needs in Colombia and surrounding nations. Response efforts should foster
ecumenical cooperation, strengthen cooperation of ecumenical partners,
human rights and other civil society organizations in Colombia, taking
into consideration the particular circumstances and perspectives of indigenous
populations. These needs include:
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those of refugees and internally displaced - with particular attention
to gender concerns;
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those of individuals needing immediate protection from human rights violations
including those needing to go into exile;
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those impacted by conflict and/or poverty, who are without food, shelter,
medical attention, counseling, or other supportive assistance;
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individuals and communities seeking to develop and implement alternative
economic models in order to enable the voluntary eradication of coca;
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communities and organizations of civil society seeking to expand the capacity
for self-governance and sustainable development.
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NATIONAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN THE USA
February 27, 2001