AMERICA/VENEZUELA - The Bishops on the situation of conflict with Colombia: "Human rights are the same for all"

Tuesday, 1 September 2015

Caracas (Agenzia Fides) - "We ask authorities to restore normality as soon as possible, because there are many difficulties and anxieties which are being experienced by those living on both sides of the border, and not only them, but all the people of the two countries, who follow with awe the development of events, which degrade the condition of civilized beings and brothers". This is what the "Justice and Peace" Commission of the Episcopal Conference of Venezuela says on the current situation of conflict in the border area with Colombia, which led to the closure of the border between the two countries decided by the Venezuelan President and the expulsion of a thousand Colombians. The motivation is the defense of human rights and food security of Venezuelans, because, according to the government, nearly half of the Venezuelan food is smuggled into Colombia. The border is also used daily by smugglers, human traffickers and drug traffickers for their crimes.
The Justice and Peace Commission "is deeply concerned about various allegations of serious violations of human rights under the decree of suspending constitutional guarantees in several municipalities of the border, it is a situation that affects all of us who live in Venezuela, since there is a significant presence of Colombians in our land, and there are many ties of existing brotherhood and cooperation ...
One cannot condemn an entire group of alleged crimes without due process and the right to defense".
Therefore the Bishops launch an appeal to Venezuelan authorities, so they ensure "a fair trial and the physical integrity of persons, with particular attention to the right to life" as established by the Constitution and laws. The authorities of human rights in both countries are demanding that this issue "has a quick solution and does not become an ideological or political problem, nor opportunity to promote xenophobia or contempt of any citizen because of his origin". In solidarity with the millions of Colombians who have enriched Venezuela with their values and their capabilities, the Bishops call for responsibility, calm and prayer, hoping that the fact of declaring oneself Christian moves solidarity, mercy, forgiveness, and rejects everything that leads to contempt, violence and war.
"Many of those expelled were not able to take their belongings, which they left in Venezuelan territory - continue the Bishops -, it is right to give back real estates to the owners and other items; it is urgent that families riunite in order to avoid a humanitarian crisis caused by mass deportations".
The Bishops are aware of the suffering of so many people because of this situation and express their solidarity. "We Venezuelans feel like brothers of the neighboring country, we have never been strangers, because we have a common history", the text continues, inviting to take the opportunity of this event to reflect "on the future of our country, the responsibility of the political and military leadership in guiding our nation, on peace and on what we want and what we desire as Venezuelans".
The statement concludes by saying that "the State has the obligation to ensure the human rights of all its citizens, including foreigners under its jurisdiction". (SL) (Agenzia Fides 01/09/2015)


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