Colombian church leaders say government firming up hold on citizens

Published: 2004-05-11

MEDELLIN, Colombia (CNS) -- Despite official statistics that show human rights violations are down in Colombia, church leaders have highlighted new tactics being used by government and paramilitary organizations to consolidate their hold on society and to promote a rightist social and political agenda. "We are seeing a consolidation of the paramilitary political agenda -- new, more subtle strategies of repression and more terror," said Father Alejandro Angulo, director of the Jesuit-run Center for Popular Education. "It has invaded all private life." The Colombian government's democratic security policy has tightened security throughout the country. One tactic it uses is "peasant soldiers," who are trained to provide support for the army. The government also has formed a network of urban informers, who are supposed to report to the government on guerrilla activity. New anti-terrorist legislation also gives the police greater powers to carry out searches without a warrant and make arrests without immediately charging those detained.

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