February 5, 2015

Dr. Jose Manuel Santos Calderon

President of the Republic of Colombia
Carrera 8 No. 7 -26
Palacio de Nario
Bogota, Colombia
Dear President Santos:
Greetings from Global Ministries, a common witness in mission of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada and the United Church of Christ in the
United States.
It is with great concern that Global Ministries has received several disturbing reports of increased
death threats and security incidents against activists defending the peace process and AfroColombian territorial, labor, and civil rights. On the 11th of January 2015, 39 human rights
activists, renowned for their long time commitment and work on victims rights, land restitution
and support and promotion of the peace process, were individually named in a list issued by the
paramilitary group, the Black Eagles or Aguilas Negras, which was posted on line and
reported by Journal El Heraldo. The paramilitary group explicitly stated that those individuals
are considered military objectives, stating their intention to eliminate them. On January 12,
2015, former Afro-Colombian Senator Piedad Cordoba, who recently participated in a delegation
of victims to visit the peace negotiation table in Havana, Cuba, was sent a death threat in the
form of a funeral bouquet. The threat appears to have come, again, from the The Black Eagles
(guilas Negras), who have been targeting supporters of the peace effort. On the 14th of January
2015, we received a letter of concern from Church leaders in Colombia regarding more death
threats launched by that same paramilitary group. Among the people threatened, there are
human rights activists and prominent Colombian Church leaders. More particularly, Agustin
Jimenez from the Menonite Church Teusaquillo, Father Fernando Sanchez from the Anglican
Church in the Caribbean Coast, Jairo Barriga, German Zarate and Milton Mejia from the
Presbyterian Church and Father Fernando Gary Martinez from the Roman Catholic Church.

The Church representatives appearing in this list are highly respected members of the
international ecumenical movement with whom our churches have worked over the years. They
are known for their outstanding Christian commitment and courageous witness in the struggle for
life, peace, justice and human dignity in Colombia. Global Ministries has committed itself, along
with their partners in Colombia, to accompany the churches and the people in Colombia in their
commitment for an end to the armed conflict. Over the years it has organized solidarity visits in
the country and its governing bodies issued a number of public statements denouncing the human
rights violations, calling for an end to the armed conflict and applauding the steps towards peace
talks. It has also actively supported ecumenical responses to the conflict and human rights
situation in Colombia. It is therefore very disturbing for us to see that Church leaders and
activists engaged in the promotion and protection of human rights and in the peace process have
become targets of this blatant violence.
Mr. President, Global Ministries strongly urges you, as well as, all the branches of the
Colombian government, to take all necessary measures to effectively protect the life and physical
integrity of the Church leaders mentioned above as well as of all other human rights defenders
under threat; to carry out an independent and impartial investigation into the authors of these
threats with due trial and appropriate penalties; to be mindful of its obligations with respect to
the security and protection of those working for the defense of human rights, and in the light of
this, to take the immediate and effective measures necessary to ensure that these Church leaders
and human rights advocates can continue their work of defending human rights and human
dignity, without danger and stigmatization. Then, we are sure that the words of the prophet will
be a reality for Colombia: The effect of righteousness will be peace and the result of
righteousness, quietness and trust forever. Isaiah 32:17. (NRSV)
May God guide you with wisdom and discernment in this particular context, so peace can be the
result of your right and timely decisions.
Sincerely yours,

Rev. Julia Brown Karimu, President

Division of Overseas Ministries
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the
United States and Canada
Global Ministries Co-Executive

Rev. Angel L. Rivera-Agosto, Area Executive

Latin America and the Caribbean
Global Ministries

Rev. Dr. James Moos, Executive Minister

Wider Church Ministries
United Church of Christ in the United States
Global Ministries Co-Executive