To be a pacifist in Colombia

This morning we spent three hours at the Canadian embassy with the visa officer who hears refugee claim cases.  Much of the conversation was rather technical and hard to explain in a short space.  In short, it was a good visit where we got a better understanding of how the visa officer views the situation in Colombia and I think she got a better sense of how MCC works with displaced Colombians.  I think we agreed that there are things that we can work together on.  However, we were all aware that the immigrations regulations are going to change shortly so that Colombians will not be able to claim “refugee” status while still in their country of citizenship.  Until now many of the Colombians that we have sponsored have come to Canada under that provision in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

One of the most difficult and yet inspiring times for us during the past few days has been hearing stories from displaced people that MCC and the Mennonite Church have been accompanying.  I do not think this is the right forum to go into the details of the stories; however, there are some important themes that we have heard from all the families we have talked to. 

One of the common themes that we have heard is that the conflict is still going on and these people are still being subjected to threats.  One person showed the bullet wounds and scars from his latest attack which almost killed him.  Another showed copied of the threatening letters they received only a few days ago.  They have been threatened; they have various levels of fear.  That is the reason that they need to find protection and hopefully get out of the country.   And yet, several of them at the end of our meeting with them said, “Colombia is a beautiful place.”  This reminds me of the meetings we had with groups on the Atlantic coastal area of Colombia three years ago.  People were not saying they wanted to get out; they were saying they wanted to go back to the homes they had fled.

Most of the people we talked to have sought protection from the Colombian government.  They have been in trouble because they have informed on one of the illegal armed groups or perhaps even someone connected to the government.  However, the common experience is that seeking protection from the government can be more trouble than help.  It was common for people to say that even though the government said they were at high risk because they testified in a high profile case, they were not offered any protection, and if they were, it gave them higher profile and made them more at risk.  Others said it made them realize that the different branches of government stick up for each other and their stories were often discounted.

One of the inspiring things though was the courage that these people have.  In spite of the threats these people report the persecution and will often follow them up.  In many ways, the easy thing would be to just let this go, but they really believe in the justice system and they really believe that they need to follow through on this to change things.  After one of the meetings we sat around and wondered if we would have the courage that these people show in the face of this.

When we ask them about this, the people we talk to say that their faith in God is what gives them the strength to carry on.  Connected to this is the importance of the church in their lives.  The church is the supportive community they have always looked for.  Some, if they can, will work with the church, helping out at the soup kitchen, or with maintenance.  In the church they have found the community that they are looking for.  It is the place where they feel like they can be who they really are and not worry and it is a place that has changed their lives and the lives of their families. 

Perhaps the most inspiring story we heard was from a woman whose husband was killed by someone in the paramilitary.  Her husband’s killer had been convicted of the murder, but they are pursuing this case to convict the person who ordered the killing.  This woman went to the trial, and was able to speak to the man who killed her husband.  She was able to confront him and in what must have been emotional meetings, he apologized and asked for forgiveness.  She said that she forgave him that day, because of what she has learned in the church.  She said that in the church they are learning the way of peace.

She is not the only one who has talked about being a pacifist here to.  That is a common theme among the people we talked to.  As I listened to that, I realize how easy it is for me to say I believe in peace where no one is threatening me.  But the way these people say this, I have no doubt it is a true conviction for them.

On Tuesday afternoon we head off to the airport to the Ecuador part of the trip.  If I have good internet access there, I hope that I can continue to share this experience with you.