International Accompaniment: sounds fancy

Protective International Accompaniment was first applied in Central America during the 1980s as a model of human rights worked based on deterrence, non-intervention and the creation of safe political space. In countries plagued by military and paramilitary rule, control is exercised via arbitrary killings, kidnappings and detentions, ensuring state control over the populace through the destruction of safe political space for democratic participation and conflict resolution. In regimes controlled by terror tactics, non-violent resistance becomes the most viable option for the affected population. Communities struggling against militarized regimes stake much of their existence on the conscience of the international community. It is in these situations that International Accompaniment has been called upon.

From "Unarmed Bodyguards", on volunteers:

"The accompaniment volunteer is literally an embodiment of international human rights concern, a compelling and visible reminder to those using violence that it will not go unnoticed."

In this way, International Accompaniment is helping to create that much needed political space while at the same attempting to observe and report on the human rights situation in general in order to raise awareness in the international community. This means that while I'm on the FOR team, I'll be sending almost daily reports to the office in San Francisco and when appropriate, helping to craft alerts on human rights abuses and recommended actions for people back home. This is where you step in. At times we might ask you to contact your representatives, asking them to support measures in the US Congress or recommendations to the State Department.

Don't forget: the US is heavily involved in funding the Colombian Military. An estimated $728.1 was appropriated under Plan Colombia in 2006, over 81% of that is strictly earmarked for military aid. An estimated $755.9 is to be delivered in 2007. And this accompaniment worked is based on the principle of non-intervention. We are not helping to create the processes of the Peace Community, but rather to ensure that their process is able to develop with as little danger as possible. As an accompanier from the US, a country heavily involved in Colombia, I feel especially called to this work.

As a team, we produce a monthly email newsletter called the "Colombia Peace Presence Update". In it we share news of the Peace Community and Colombian Partner Organizations as well as other news of the peace movement in Colombia. Please send me an email (address on my profile to the right) if you'd like to be included on this list.