Women Working for Peace in Colombia

Yaneth Pérez – president of the Dawn of Women for Arauca–discusses the human rights situation in Colombia and how U.S. military aid is escalating the violence.

Women Working for Peace in Colombia

A presentation by Yaneth Pérez – president of the Dawn of Women for Arauca

Monday, April 30 – 7 P.M.
St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church
1704 NE 43rd Ave.

The Dawn of Women for Arauca Association works to promote women’s rights and social justice in one of the most war-torn regions of Colombia.

“We, as women, are suffering the consequences of the war in Colombia” says Yaneth. “We watch our husbands being arrested or killed, or having to flee from our homes in order to save their lives. We’re then left alone to care for our children and provide them with a decent future. Women who speak out against the war and for social justice have been threatened, arrested, and killed.”

The people in Arauca (a state in northeastern Colombia) are suffering from the war and government repression. More than one hundred community leaders have been killed and many more have been imprisoned on false charges of “rebellion.” Occidental Petroleum has a huge oilfield and pipeline in Arauca that are being protected by the U.S. and Colombian military.

The U.S. government is providing Colombia with $1.5 million per day in military aid. Two guerrilla groups have been fighting against the government for more than 40 years. Amnesty International USA has repeatedly documented the Colombian military’s involvement in human rights abuses and has called for a complete cut off of military aid to Colombia. Additionally, the U.S. recently negotiated a free trade agreement with Colombia that create more economic injustice and desparity.

“We don’t need any more weapons in Arauca” says Yaneth. “There are already more than enough guns and bombs to kill all of us. Instead of sending arms, we ask the U.S. government to provide support for schools, health clinics, housing, and small farmers so that we can take care of our families.”

Pérez is being accompanied by Scott Nicholson - a board member of Community Action for Justice in the Americas who has been in Arauca since July 2006 documenting the human rights situation in the region. The presentation will include his photos of the war in Arauca.

This event is sponsored by Community Action for Justice in the Americas, Witness for Peace Northwest, Portland Central America Solidarity Committee, American Friends Service Committee, Oregon Fair Trade Campaign, Portland International Women’s Day, School of the Americas Watch Oregon, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Amnesty International Portland Chapter, Alliance for Democracy, Episcopal Peace Fellowship and St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church.

For more information, contact Witness for Peace NW at 503.287.7847 or wfpnw@witnessforpeace.org