Colombia - Indigenous Christians - Christian Solidarity Worldwide

Kogui Christians face stalemate over land and worship rights

The Kogui are an indigenous group who have lived in the Sierra Nevada mountains in North-east Colombia for hundreds of years. While the majority of the Koguis adhere to the traditional belief system, about 1% of the population are Christians.

Last year the Kogui governor decided that Christianity needed to be eradicated from the Kogui population and attempted to force the Kogui Christians to reconvert to traditional beliefs. The Colombian government refused to intervene because indigenous groups in Colombia have legal autonomy. This, however, ignores the fact that the law declares that autonomy must be practiced in line with the rights guaranteed in the Colombian constitution.

In January a judge ruled that while the religious freedom of the Christians amongst the Kogui community is guaranteed under the Colombian Constitution, the Kogui governor also has the right to protect Kogui culture and to obligate all members of the Kogui community to participate in traditional rituals and ceremonies. Not surprisingly, the Kogui Christians chose to appeal this decision.

In March 2010, the Kogui Christians’ appeal was rejected by the Colombian courts, meaning they have no more legal recourse in the Colombian legal system. They now must consider taking it to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, however, this would be difficult and they would need legal support.

The government continues to avoid responsibility for the issue. They have told the Kogui that they should not be expelled from their lands because of their beliefs, but at the same time have also declined to provide the Kogui with effective mechanisms for protection or alternatives, for example, dedicated land where they could live and practice their Christian faith in peace.

Worryingly, two churches on another indigenous group in South-west Colombia have been forcibly shut down by the authorities. Again, the Colombian government has refused to intervene. Christians from the Nasa-Paez group have also called for international support.

CSW met with representatives from a number of different indigenous communities, including the Kogui and Nasa-Paez, during our fact-finding and solidarity visit in February 2010. We continue to provide information to the British and US governments and to the EU and have asked them to make representations of concern to the Colombian government. You can help to put pressure on the Colombian authorities by taking part in our online action to email the Colombian Ambassador to the UK.

Background

September 2009 – Two churches on the Nasa-Paez reserve in south-west Colombia are forcibly shut down by order of the authorities. The decree says they can reopen in 90 days.

October 2009 – a meeting is called by the Kogui governor in North-east Colombia to discuss the “problem” of Christianity on the Kogui reserve – instead of a discussion, sixteen Kogui Christians are detained, threatened and intimidated, and told they will not be freed until they recant their faith

November 2009 – the number of detained Christian Koguis increases – there are reports of illness, particularly among the very young children among the detainees – there is still no response from the Colombian government

December 2009 – the number of Kogui captives rises to 26, the Colombian government says that because of indigenous autonomy they cannot intervene; on the Nasa-Paez reserve the two churches are prevented from reopening, contrary to the original order.

21 December 2009 – the Kogui governor unexpectedly announces that the Kogui Christians will be given a “vacation” from captivity, he tells them they must report back in January

January 2010 – the Kogui Christians decide not to return but to seek the protection of their rights in the Colombian courts

February 2010 – a judge rules that while the religious freedom of the Kogui Christians is guaranteed under the Colombian Constitution, the Kogui governor also has the right to protect Kogui culture and to obligate all members of the Kogui community to participate in traditional rituals and ceremonies. The Kogui Christians appeal this decision.

March 2010 – the Kogui Christians’ appeal is rejected by the Colombian courts – leaving their situation unresolved; the churches on the Nasa-Paez reserve remain closed and authorities threaten to shut down more and to expel Nasa-Paez pastors.

Pray

Please pray...

- For unity, strength and refreshment for the Kogui Christians as their calls for religious freedom continue to be ignored by the Colombian government

- For wisdom for Christians in all indigenous communities in Colombia and that their rights would be respected and upheld

- That God would change the hearts of the Kogui and Nasa-Paez authorities and that they would allow religious freedom to be exercised in their communities

- That God would also move in the hearts of Colombian government officials, that there would not be one law for members of indigenous communities and another for the non-indigenous. Ask that all the rights in the Colombian Constitution would be upheld for all Colombian citizens regardless of ethnicity.

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Protest

Send a letter to the Colombian Ambassador to the UK expressing your concern about the severe violations to religious freedom in Colombia and especially the situation facing the Christians from the Kogui and Nasa-Paez communities.
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