III National Plenery of the

Permanent Assembly of
Civil Society for Peace

Rionegro - Oriente Antioqueño
July 19,20 & 21, 2001

For:

• A negotiated political solution to the armed conflict.
• Peace with social justice.
• Extensive participation from civil society and the convergence of peace initiatives.
• Respect and complete fulfillment of human rights and international humanitarian law.

The National Coordinating Commission of the Permanent Assembly of Civil Society for Peace, in development of its objectives and in response to the challenges faced in building peace in Colombia:

CALLS all organizations that participate in the Assembly, social and citizen-based forces and all peace initiatives, and INVITES the international community to participate in the III National Plenery of the Permanent Assembly of Civil Society for Peace, that will take place in Rionegro-Oriente Antioqueño (Colombia) from July 19-21, 2001.

In the current context of social and political crisis, deepening poverty and inequity, and the intensification and degradation of the war, it is necessary to open channels for participation, spaces for discussion and decision-making, where a broad base of sectors from Colombian society can express themselves regarding the difficult situations that they are passing through in different regions of the country, and propose clear ALTERNATIVES for CHANGE, with support from the international community.

The armed confrontation and the different forms of violence have generated a humanitarian crisis in Colombia, thus creating an urgent need for promoting and insisting on the complete fulfillment of human rights and international humanitarian law by the armed actors. We need to work towards a Global Humanitarian Agreement that protects the civil population, halts the degradation of the armed conflict and furthermore contributes to securing civil society's autonomy and independence in relation to the armed actors.

Colombia also faces spreading urban conflict that currently generates more victims than the political armed conflict, and whose solution must be taken into account when we talk about building peace and constructing a new country.

The fragmentation and destruction of the social tapestry, and the polarization in response to the armed conflict urgently require us to promote the strengthening and articulation of the social movement for peace, thus seeking the convergence of different national and regional initiatives that work for peace.

This is the moment to consolidate solidarity and support from the international community towards the peace process in Colombia, based on a respect for free national self-determination.

We value the joint assortment of citizen initiatives working for harmonious ways of living with each other, peace, and human rights in Colombia. Together we seek to work together in such a way as to contribute to peace with social justice, reconciliation and the construction of a new country.

The III National Plenery of the Permanent Assembly of Civil Society for Peace is now under preparation from every region, sector and social organization, where they will discuss proposals, collect opinions and make decisions for the III Plenery in Rionegro-Oriente Antioqueño regarding three areas: The Peace Process and the Strengthening of Civil Society, Life - Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law; Economic and Social Development.

PERMANENT ASSEMBLY OF CIVIL SOCIETY FOR PEACE
National Coordination Comission