In Honor of Senator Piedad Cordoba Ruiz
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On May 29, 2009 the Norma
Lozano Jackson Foundation will recognize Afro Colombian Senator Piedad Cordoba Ruiz, for her concern for human rights issues
confronting Afro-Colombian people. Senator Cordoba is part of the Seventh Committee, the Senate for labor
rights, she has been part of the Third Committee on Economic issues, the Fifth Committee of Mines and Energy, and the
Second Committee of Foreign Relations, among others. |
A lawyer by trade, Senator Cordoba is recognized for her tireless efforts to obtain the inclusion of
Colombian minorities in all aspects of society. In 2007 she was called upon by Colombian President Alvaro Uribe to mediate
between the Revolutionary Forces of Colombia, FARC, and the Government in the liberation of the kidnapped persons, a
task that she performs until today even without the authority of the president. The humanitarian agreement that would
allow the release of all kidnapped individuals presently in the jungles of Colombia is part of the Senator’s daily struggle.
She strongly opposes a military solution to the armed conflict in Colombia.
Senator Cordoba has been the victim of many attempts against her life,
was kidnapped twice and forced into exile in Canada for criticizing the long armed conflict in Colombia.
Recognition Dinner Speech and Photos 2008
Cooming Soon Recognition Dinner Speech 2009
Resolution 618 Co-Sponsors
Resolution 618
During the 2007 August recess, Rep. Donald Payne (D-NJ) introduced
House Resolution 618, which recognizes the importance of addressing the plight of Afro-Colombians. Although this resolution
is non-binding, it will provide much-needed moral support to a community caught in the crossfire. In Colombia, Afro-descendents
are harshly affected daily by extreme poverty and racial discrimination. The statistics are truly astonishing. Although they
often live in regions rich in natural wealth, 76% of Afro-Colombians live in extreme poverty. Chocó, the department
with the largest Afro-Colombian population, receives the lowest per capita government investment in health, education and
infrastructure of any department. (From www.lawg.org)
Afro-Colombians constitute over 26% of Colombia's
population. They are disproportionately targeted for acts of violence and forced displacement and subject to systematic racial
discrimination, economic exploitation and social and economic exclusion.
Resolution 618,
- recognizes
and honors Afro-Colombians for their contributions to Colombia
- urges
the Colombian government to take measures to combat human rights violations, acts of violence, displacement, racial discrimination,
and exclusion of Afro-Colombians;
- urges the Colombian government
to investigate and bring to justice politicians involved in para-politics scandals;
- urges the Colombian government to develop and implement properly executed assistance programs for Afro- Colombians.
- calls on the U.S. Government to ensure that Afro-Colombians
and other marginalized groups are fully consulted in negotiations concerning U.S. aid and trade agreements with Colombia.
Click on the link below to view the document in its entirety.
Offical Document: Resolution 618
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We are calling for the full and speedy
resolution of the investigations into allegations of disappearances, as well as torture, attempted rape and death threats,
against members of a Colombian refugee community in Ecuador. Disappearance...
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