Colombia Christians targeted for extortion, forced military service - CSW
Christians in Colombia are being targeted by rival factions for extortion and forced military service, based on a report derived from a fact-finding visit by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).
CSW's report titled "Colombia: Freedom of Religion or Belief and Freedom of Conscience" says young people, including Christians are being forced to fight for paramilitaries even if they object. Those who attempt to escape the illegal armed groups either have to go into hiding to avoid getting killed, Christian Today reports.
The information gathered by CSW came from interviews with church leaders in the five areas in Colombia where illegal armed groups are prominent, the report details.
Meanwhile, there are ongoing peace talks between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which is the main rebel group in the country. However, church leaders are doubtful that the peace talks will effectively put an end to the conflict that has spanned five decades and has left 220,000 people dead so far, according to The Tablet.
Christian leaders say the guerilla groups still continue to threaten and target them for extortion despite the peace talks.
"The guerrillas are making peace but as I see it, the peace they are making is for over there, but it makes it more complicated here," one indigenous church leader told CSW.
In line with this, CSW chief executive Mervyn Thomas has called on the Colombian government to step up their efforts to protect civilians, especially in areas strongly infested by the FARC. He highlighted the restriction on religious freedom that the guerilla groups impose on Christians. Thomas also asked for support from the international community in this regard.
In September last year, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and FARC leader Rodrigo Londono announced that the two groups will sign a peace deal within six months. The landmark agreement between the government and the guerilla group is expected to be signed on March 23.