Some Congressional representatives are prepared to take a step in the right direction, cutting a significant portion of the military share of Plan Colombia. The new funding plan would also augment the amount of money apportioned for humanitarian programs including judicial reform, rural development, and assistance to internally displaced persons.

A Call to Action

Jesuit Refugee Service/USA is currently advocating for three specific changes in U.S. government policy:

1. The U.S. government should rigorously document abuses of human rights in Colombia and press the Colombian government to improve its human rights record by making a greater percentage of U.S. aid contingent on the U.S. State Department's annual human rights certification, full protection of constitutionally established rights for all Colombians, and restitution of lost property to the displaced Colombians.
2. The U.S. government should reallocate aid so as to provide greater support for sustainable development projects and less support to Colombian military activities.
3. The U.S. government should change the "Material Support" provisions of current U.S. law, which place unjust barriers in the way of Colombian refugees seeking asylum and resettlement in the United States.

Contact your senators and representatives about the need for a Plan Colombia for the Victims.

 

Forgotten Victims of the Conflict in Colombia