The victims of armed conflict called for the release of the hostages and an end to the massacres in Colombia, during the commemoration of National Human Rights Day.

From the emblematic monument, "A witness in silence", in the municipality of Ocaña, Norte de Santander, members of theThe Departmental Table for the Participation of Victims and human rights defenders sent a message of reconciliation and forgiveness to the armed actors in the conflict for the construction of peace.

"We are asking the groups outside the law to stop human rights violations", said Maritza Pérez, coordinator of Norte de Santander Victims Participation Table, who took advantage of the commemoration of the National Day of the Human Rights, to remember people who are deprived of liberty.

Pérez reiterated that “we are calling for the release of Mr. Evangelista Bohórquez, who has been kidnapped for days and all those kidnapped." "Likewise, for all the massacres to stop in Catatumbo and all of Colombia, and the rights defenders of humans who day by day are at the service of the community”, he added.

In her opinion, "the violation of human rights is the cause of the conflicts of tomorrow." And in those terms, one of the messages was captured on the posters that were made visible during the commemoration that took place in Ocaña, one of the municipalities in Norte de Santander with the highest concentration of people affected by violence.

Commemoration

With garments, white and green balloons that symbolize peace and the hope of living peace, citizens gathered at the monument that represents the silence of many people who today suffer the consequences of armed conflict.

In Norte de Santander, according to the National Information Network, there is a record of 310.709 declarations of victims with a court date of August 31, 2020. From Cúcuta, the director of the Victims Unit in Norte de Santander and Arauca, Alicia María. Rojas Pérez, expressed her solidarity and highlighted the active participation of the Departmental Table for Victims in leading this kind of initiative.

"We are accompanying the departmental table of victims of Norte de Santander in these days that not only call for reflection, but also allow us to see a united population that is committed to peace, to social transformation with forgiveness and reconciliation", highlighted the official.

She also highlighted the work of the coordinator, Maritza Pérez, and that of all the members of the departmental table who day by day work for the defense of the human rights of victims in a department affected by the armed conflict.

"The Victims Unit continues to advance in the institutional fulfillment of individual reparation processes, psychosocial support and work with collective subjects to make effective the enjoyment of their rights that allow them to dignify their living conditions", said the official.

Since 1985, every September 9, Colombia commemorates the National Day of Human Rights, the date on which the Jesuit priest San Pedro Claver died (1654), considered a precursor of this flag thanks to his dedication to provide relief to the suffering of the slaves arriving at the port of Cartagena.  

(End/CEG/AMA/LMY)