The World Council of Churches head has expressed disappointment at the outcome of a referendum in Colombia in which voters narrowly rejected supporting a peace accord between the government and leftist guerilla group, FARC.
“The people of Colombia need and deserve peace, particularly now,” said Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the WCC, in a statement. “Not under any circumstance should we say no to peace. The possibilities for a better, peaceful future for Colombia are greater and more important than any reason that could justify the negative to the agreement signed by the government and the FARC.”
Slightly more than 50 per cent – 50.24 per cent – voted against the peace accord in last weekend’s referendum, although voter turnout was reportedly only 40 per cent. The deal to bring an end to 52 years of conflict had been signed in the Colombian city of Cartagena on 26th September after years of negotiations.
Meanwhile, UK-based religious freedom advocacy Christian Solidarity Worldwide have urged the two parties to continue working towards a peace agreement.
Mervyn Thomas, chief executive, said the organisation “will continue to stand in solidarity with our partners in Colombia as they work in pursuit of peace, truth and reconciliation”.
“We hope and pray for a peace agreement that meets public approval, and for a truth and reconciliation process that uncovers the human rights violations committed by all actors in this conflict and brings some measure of clarity and peace for the victims and their families.”
Both the Colombian Government and FARC representatives have said they will continue working towards peace in the wake of last weekend’s vote.
