AMERICA/COLOMBIA - A Humanitarian Commission to follow the people, the proposal of the Archbishop of Cali

Wednesday, 5 May 2021 human rights civil society economy politics

CEC

COLOMBIA

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Bogota (Agenzia Fides) - Archbishop Darío de Jesús Monsalve Mejía of Cali, in view of the recent clashes with the police, in which 19 people died and hundreds were injured, suggests the creation of a "Humanitarian Commission" for Colombia so that we can overcome "these socially difficult times".
Mgr. Monsalve Mejía summoned the Episcopal Vicar for the Integral Human Development Service, the presidency of the Commission for Justice and Peace, the Observatory of Social Realities, the Commission for Social Pastoral Care and that of the Pastoral Care of Labor in order to make suggestions. According to the note, it is hoped that this Humanitarian Commission aims to initiate processes that make it possible to reach agreements that focus on the rights of citizens and the protection of civil society. Archbishop Monsalve Mejía condemned the use of weapons against the demonstrators by the army. In the most recent riots, actions were taken against members of the Catholic church commissions who were demonstrating peacefully.
The socio-political situation of Colombia has entered a severe crisis. Perhaps one of the most important social crises of recent times in the country, where citizens have started demonstrations against the government of Iván Duque to withdraw the tax reform project to raise taxes. The police and army used excessive force during the demonstrations. Meanwhile, Colombian Finance Minister Alberto Carrasquilla resigned. "One of the most serious problems is that President Duque has decided to reinforce the work of the police through the army, playing with fire. Such an approach is irresponsible", a representative of the human rights organization "Human Rigths Watch" told the international Press. The Colombian Bishops' Conference repeatedly called for reconciliation: "In view of the recent events that have hit our country, the Bishops of Colombia continue to ask for the prayer for reconciliation, because this is the only way to join forces in difficult times and so that to achieve the desired peace that the Colombian people have long sought". (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 5/5/2021)