FOR in Colombia is not only focused on the Peace Community of San Jose. The team in Bogota has, among other projects, a focus on protecting and fighting for the rights of Colombian Conscientious objectors.
Colombian males have to pay one year of military service when they turn 18. In order to ensure that all 18 yr old males show up for service, there are military sweeps and checkpoints in many urban areas that ask young men as they pass by o show proof of their service. If they can not do so, and are over 18. they are taken to the base and signed up for service on the spot. There are some serious questions about the legal and moral issues behind such sweeps and, as is the case in any situation where people are pressured to do things, there is always the doubt that human and constitutional rights are not followed.
There is a law allowing for conscientious objection based on personal beliefs, however, the process of proving it is complicated, long, emotionally draining and monetarily out of the reach of lower class citizens. Whats more, while the young man is trying to get through the process of proving his beliefs, he is often separated from family, subjected to intense political pressure and made to feel guilty for not fulfilling his duty to his country.
FOR´s role in this is to work with Colombian organizations to support the young men both practically and emotionally so that they have the strength to follow through with their fight to exercise their right to conscientiously object.
Here is a short, subtitled, inverview with one of the young men resisting the obiligatory military service.
Demilitarize Your Life! from Fellowship of Reconciliation on Vimeo.
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