| This is our first issue
of Dialogo, a space to reflect on Forced Displacement in Colombia1
and other issues that are intrinsic to the phenomenon. It is a space where
we, the agencies
of DIAL, want to express
our opinion, disseminate information about what we do, and reflect on the
role that International Cooperation Agencies should play in the provision
of humanitarian aid in Colombia.
We start with the publication
of this information sheet at point when, since the beginning of 1999, there
has been a very high toll in lives lost, and multiple violations of Human
Rights (HR) and of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). This reality has
generated an increase in the numbers of the forcibly displaced.
The living conditions and
safety of people already displaced have been further affected. Illegal
armed groups (guerrilla and self-defense groups) have greatly increased
their attacks on the civilian population. These actions are part of a strategy
which shows no interest in peace. Both national and international NGOs
have been affected directly and indirectly by the actors in this conflict.
We find it increasingly difficult to conduct our humanitarian aid work,
especially the work that we carry out with displaced populations. The safety
and protection of NGO staff is vital to the continuation of our work in
Colombia.
This is happening during
a period in which all armed sectors, in their desire to increase their
role in the peace talks, have increased the vulnerability of the civilian
population. The transition, between the old and the new governments´
policies on protection and prevention of forced displacement has been a
slow. There has been a confusing lack of clarity with respect to who is
responsible for implementing these policies. Other adverse factors have
included the virtual absence of resources and the low degree of coordination
between national and local bodies. We are particularly worried about the
non-implementation of the Observatiorio del Desplazamiento Interno por
la Violencia (Monitoring Body on Displacement –created by Article 13,
Law 387/97, on forced displacement) by the government. Its absence makes
it harder to define, where and how national and international NGOs could
make their contribution.
In this first issue, we want
to reflect upon the role of international NGOs in the Colombian Conflict
and the potential response of other members of the international community
with whom we are interested in strengthening a coordinated network of contacts
and information. Toward this goal, Constantino Casasbuenas, director of
the Oxfam office in Colombia, provides an account of the role of national
NGOs in Colombia and their relation to international agencies. Finally,
it places national and international NGOs in the context of the armed conflict
. It is also a reminder that international agencies need to become aware
of the new challenges posed by the current
situation requires. This
is a time when we welcome the arrival, in Colombia, or Mr. Francis Deng
–author of the United Nation’s Principles on Displacement– , who is following
up his 1994 visit to Colombia.2
1
Keeping in mind the particular aspects of the Colombian case, DIAL considers
"Forced Displacement" to refer to some of the concepts that were gathered
by Mr. Francis Deng in the Guiding Principles about Displacement of the
United Nations: "…the internally displaced are those people or groups of
people who have found themselves forced or compelled to escape or flee
their home or their usual place or residence, particularly as a result
of or to avoid the effects of an armed conflict, of situations of generalized
violence, of violations of human rights….and who have not crossed an internationally
recognized state border".
2
For more details about the visit of Mr. Francis Deng and on the Conference
about Displacement see our calendar,
p.4. |
