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Men’s Religious Conference Calls for Release of Colombian Bishop Vaca Ramirez and Implementation of U.N. Human Rights Commission Recommendations

The Conference of Major Superiors of Men, representing the leadership of the 20,000 religious brothers and priests in the United States is gravely concerned over the ongoing human rights violations in Colombia perpetrated by all armed parties on the civilian population of that country. The latest news that Roman Catholic Bishop Misael Vaca Ramirez has been kidnapped by the National Liberation Army (ELN) and will be released at some future date with a message for the Colombian government is just the most recent example of the thousands of Colombian people who are victimized by the armed conflict.

Bishop Vaca Ramirez, the Bishop of Yopal has been involved in peace efforts between the government, paramilitary groups, and rebel forces. Dozens of church leaders who have promoted peace efforts have been kidnapped and over 50 have been murdered in the past 20 years working for a just peace in the region. They are but a fraction of the thousands who have disappeared or have been murdered during the civil war. It is estimated that 3,500 people die each year in the conflict.

In March the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a report on the human rights situation in Colombia. The report indicates that there are egregious human rights violations by all parties but holds the government particularly responsible because of its ties with paramilitary groups and its ineffective process of bringing human rights violators to justice.

Bishop Vaca Ramirez has been a willing and courageous participant in attempts to bring about peace and to address the human rights violations in Colombia. His kidnapping and the attempt to use him in this manner is just another example of the disregard that many in the conflict have for human rights and for the dignity of individuals.

The Conference urges the ELN to release Bishop Vaca Ramirez unconditionally. The Conference further calls on all parties to enter into the peace process, ending the years of fear and killing that have been inflicted on the civilian population. We call on the Government to Colombia to enact reforms that will address the recommendations of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights. Finally we call on the U.S. Government to restructure foreign aid to Colombia, requiring that Colombia meet standards of human rights before any funds are released and to limit foreign aid to non-military use but to direct funding for humanitarian assistance and development.

The Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM) serves the leadership of Catholic orders and congregations representing 20,000 vowed U.S. religious priests and brothers. CMSM provides a voice for these communities in the U.S. church and society, collaborates with the U.S. bishops and other key groups and organizations that serve the church and society.

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