"Imagine being forced to stay in your home by men with guns – day after day. The confinement in Colombia means you can’t work, visit your family or send your children to school," said Juan Gabriel Wells, interim country director for NRC in Colombia. "We call on the Colombian government and non-state armed actors to agree on a lasting peace that benefits the vulnerable populations affected by these inhumane restrictions of movement."
24 November 2022 marks the sixth anniversary of the signing of the peace agreement between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Yet, armed violence persists, and the country continues to be immersed in six ongoing non-international armed conflicts affecting millions of people. The armed groups use forced confinement as a strategy to exert control over isolated communities and territories that are often used for illicit activities.
"The rules imposed by the armed groups are: 'you can't go out;' 'you can't use that road;' 'we don't want to see any people passing through here.' We are trapped," said Cecil, an indigenous teacher from the pacific coast region.
While the new government has shown interest and commitment towards "total peace", the negative impact of armed conflict on civilians' daily lives is increasing, resulting in thousands of communities existing in a state of fear, anxiety, and helplessness. More than 2.6 million people have had their movements restricted during 2022 alone, with indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities being some of the worst affected (OCHA).
"Where I live, we are afraid to walk [outside] – we can't do it freely. Whenever the armed groups come, they bring landmines. If it's a big device, it kills us, and if it is smaller, it blows away limbs from a person, leaving them with incomplete bodies," said Nelsa, who lives in southwestern Colombia.
NRC reiterates the importance of treating civilians in armed conflict with dignity. "Confinement and the restrictions on mobility we are witnessing in Colombia is humiliating and degrading. Armed groups must commit to ending this senseless practice immediately," said NRC’s Wells.
Notes to editors:
- Photos and video available for free use here.
- Almost six million people —over 12 per cent of Colombia's population— live in areas where armed groups are active (OCHA).
- More than 2.6 million people had their movements restricted during 2022 alone (OCHA).
- Nearly 120,000 people were still confined as of October 2022 (OCHA).
- According to the Norwegian Refugee Council's (NRC) annual Global Displacement Overview, Colombia has the third-highest number of displaced people globally.
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
- NRC global media hotline: media@nrc.no, +47 905 62 329
- NRC Colombia, Ana Milena Ayala: ana.ayala@nrc.no, +57 3232746021
- NRC Regional Communications Adviser, Christian Jepsen: christian.jepsen@nrc.no, +254 706 248 391
