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"Peace in Colombia is Possible"
Ask
Your Member of Congress to Create a New Colombia Policy that Protects the Victims
of Violence by:
Reducing military aid and increasing social spending for Colombia:
By
reducing military aid to Colombia and increasing social spending, the United
States will help alleviate some of Colombia's greatest social needs. Such spending
will serve to assist the country's nearly 4 million internally displaced people
and provide for a safe return to their lands. It will also help protect victims
of violence who are seeking reparation and justice, promote human rights and
provide alternative livelihoods for Colombians suffering from decades of economic
hardship and conflict.
Ending
Aerial Fumigations:
Aerial fumigations
have damaged Colombia's environment and caused human health problems. Furthermore,
they have led to displacement and intensified conflict in certain regions of
Colombia. They have not resulted in decreased coca production in Colombia or
reduced levels of cocaine in the United States. Ending aerial fumigations will
free up funds that could be spent on a more effective anti-narcotics policy
in Colombia.
Increasing
humanitarian aid to victims of violence:
Victims in Colombia represent one of the greatest hopes for Colombia's future.
They are organized and working to gain reparation for crimes committed against
them, while simultaneously pursuing truth, justice and legal reforms that will
help ensure peace in Colombia. By supporting victims, the United States will
be contributing not only to the basic needs of victims, but to a more stable
and just Colombian society.
Promoting
a negotiated settlement to the conflict in Colombia:
2008 has presented some of the most important opportunities for negotiations
with Colombian guerilla groups in nearly ten years. At this opportune time,
U.S. support for negotiations is vital and could serve to significantly reduce
the gravest forms of conflict in Colombia while leading to permanent peace.
To order postcards,
email Travis Wheeler at twheeler@lawg.org.