Young members of the ZRC arbitrarily detained by militaries 27th brigade

6 young members of the peasant-reserve-zone were taken their freedom with the argument that they have to fulfill their military duty. This morning the boys were taken to the 27th artillery battalion which is located in Santana where they were broad to the military garrison.

The sentence C-879 of the Constitutional Court considers this type of proceedings as an arbitrary detention.

Members of the ZRC complained about this incident to Cardona and other military officials. They were told that nothing could be done and if they would pass the tests they would have to stay with the military.

The boys Carlos Mario Ortíz, Jhonatan Delgado, Carlos Caicedo, Raúl Rodríguez, Edison Rodríguez, Geovanny Rodríguez are victims of forced displacement, an incident that had been unknown to the military forces.

The militaries have publicly disgraced the members of the peasant-reserve-zone due to their constant complaints and demands before the abuses and violations of human rights on the part of the public forces and oil-companies, such as VETRA.
Another incident that has caused public reactions by high military comands against members of the ZRC are their demands for territorial autonomy and the respect of International Humanitarian Rights on the part of the military forces. One of the self-protection initiatives that has generated strong reactions of the military forces are the “Espacios de Refugio Temporal Humanitario” (Temporary Humanitarian Space of Refuge) that aim to protect the people from forced displacement outside of the territories.

Bogotá, D.C. 17th of September, 2013

Comisión Intereclesial de Justicia y Paz