Prayer and action needed for Christian community in Colombia

7/15/08 Colombia (CSW) – On 15 June, Ázael Hernandez, a church leader from the community of El Murmullo, was taken by force by armed men who were waiting for him on the road as he travelled from El Murmullo to the town of Tierralta. The men took him to a place called Revoliatico Peak, where he was beaten and then disappeared. It is presumed that he was killed and his body was thrown into the Urra Hydro-Electric Reservoir. Azael is survived by his wife, Fanny, and their four children, Edil Hernandez age 16, Roder 14, Nelson 13, and Leonel 3. Fanny is also a member of the church leadership team.

Five days later, on 20 June, the community, the majority of whom are active members of the Gethsemane Church, which belongs to the Association of Evangelical Churches of the Caribbean, received information that eleven more people had been targeted for assassination by the same armed group. It is unclear what is behind the threats, but a number of armed groups are present in the area, including the re-mobilised paramilitaries. There are also reports that the new paramilitary groups have entered into agreements with the FARC, a left-wing guerrilla group, divvying up control over the local cocaine trade as well.

Despite promises from the local government to investigate the disappearance of Ázael and to provide protection for the community, no action was taken and 36 families (around 180 individuals) were forced to flee to the relative safety of the town of Tierralta. They are currently being offered support and refuge by a local church, but are traumatised and understandably fearful.

Some of these families have now suffered forced displacement at the hands of armed groups three times. Azael and the majority of the victims were first displaced ten to twelve years ago. Some had subsequently returned to their land only to be forced to leave again. Approximately two years ago, they had begun a process of returning to this area of the municipality, which was supposedly safe following massive paramilitary demobilisations.

The community, including Azael’s widow, are calling for national and international support. Please lift them, and the churches which are currently supporting them, up in your prayers. Members of the churches who are accompanying the displaced communities are doing so at great risk to themselves. Pray for the protection of all of those involved, for wisdom and discernment, and for comfort and healing for Azael’s family.

If you wish to send letters of encouragement you can send them to the following address:

Comunidad El Murmullo
c/o Iglesia Cristo Rey; AIEC
Calle 15 #16-76
Tierralta, Cordoba
Colombia

Please also consider writing to the Colombian Embassy to express your concern and to request urgent attention to this situation on the part of the government. As you draft your letter, please consider including the following points which make up the appeal of the El Murmullo community:

” Official assistance in locating Ázael’s body;
” An official investigation into the reasons behind the threats;
” Protection for the community;
” Reparations for their lost agricultural cultivations and protection for their lands and houses;
” Relocation of the community to a new, secure area;
” Provision of urgent necessities such as health care, kitchen utensils, mosquito nets, food, and clothing