Democracy is a fragile concept

CAFOD partner Caritas Colombia joined other NGOs to create the Electoral Monitoring Mission (MOE), which sent 10,000 independent observers to monitor October 2007 elections [CAFOD]

CAFOD's Barbara Davies explains how in Colombia, a country where corruption and violence is rife, a campaign to strengthen people's right to vote is making vital headway

Political life has long been fraught with immense danger in Colombia. Right-wing paramilitaries and left-wing guerrilla groups have spread terror and committed grave human rights abuses for their own political benefit.

Despite the disarmament of paramilitaries in 2005, many then joined “second generation” armed groups and continue to influence politics.

The extent of their control became apparent in 2006 when the Colombian government was rocked by a series of revelations of links between politicians, officials and the paramilitaries.

Risk of fraud

Regional elections, held in October 2007, were a test to see how much paramilitary political power had been dismantled since the “para politics” scandal first came to light.

CAFOD partner the Social Department of the Bishops Conference (Caritas Colombia), joined other NGOs to create the Electoral Monitoring Mission (MOE), which sent 10,000 independent observers to monitor the situation in 22 of the country’s 32 departments.

Before the elections started, the mission charted the regions most at risk of fraud through techniques such as unmarked ballots, manipulation of votes and contests with a single, unopposed candidate (whose rivals were often threatened, killed or otherwise forced out of the campaign).

In the 2003 elections, single-candidate contests were not uncommon in areas controlled by the right-wing paramilitary groups, particularly on the north coast.

However, in 2007, only 11 municipalities had one candidate standing for mayor – down from 25 in 2003.

People were less afraid to challenge paramilitary backed candidates, thanks in part to the presence of the Catholic Church and NGOs monitoring the elections.

This is a positive step forward in the long process of untangling the web of paramilitary control in Colombia.

Sabotage

Unlike tactics adopted by the paramilitaries, who prefer to influence the political process, the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) went about sabotaging the elections.

For example, bomb attacks on two pylons cut the electricity supply to four towns close to the border with Ecuador.

Despite minor incidents, voting across the country was generally peaceful but, sadly, the months prior to the election were marred by violence.

According to the MOE, 29 candidates were killed by illegal armed groups, mostly the FARC.

Democracy is a fragile concept in Colombia and much still needs to be done to ensure that people can vote without fear or coercion.

This electoral monitoring mission has strengthened civil society in Colombia, and created an independent and neutral voice which people trusted against the backdrop of 40 years of internal conflict and corruption.

The way forward is to continue educating communities and state officials on their rights and responsibilities.

This article was first published in The Catholic Times on November 18, 2007

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