Warring factions in Colombia are targeting Christians for extortion and forced military service, according to a new report from Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).
The report, Colombia: Freedom of Religion or Belief and Freedom of Conscience, is based on a fact-finding visit during which CSW interviewed church leaders from five areas where there is a strong presence of illegal armed groups.
Peace talks between the government and the main rebel opposition group, FARC, are expected to end a five-decades-long conflict that has seen atrocities committed by both sides.
However, the church leaders say that restrictions on religion imposed by left-leaning guerilla movements like FARC remain. Paramilitary groups continue to threaten church leaders who refuse to cooperate with them and target churches for extortion. A number of church leaders reported having received threats from guerrillas and paramilitary groups.
Church leaders told CSW they expect to see little improvement in their situation whether or not the peace agreement is signed. One indigenous Christian leader said: "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."
The report says young people, including Christian youth, continue to be forced into illegal armed groups or the military, even when they try to declare themselves conscientious objectors based on deeply held religious beliefs. Christian converts attempting to leave illegal armed groups are forced into hiding or killed.
CSW chief executive Mervyn Thomas said: "While CSW welcomes the steps both the government of Colombia and FARC-EP have taken towards the peace agreement, which is due to be signed later this month, we remain deeply concerned at the situation on the ground in many parts of the country.
"These areas are essentially run by violent illegal armed groups, all of which restrict religious freedom and actively target church leaders. We call on the government of Colombia to take urgent steps to protect civilians and uphold the rule of law in areas of the country where the FARC-EP has until now maintained a strong presence, and we call on the international community to support them in these efforts."
