Commemoration of Colombian Companions

Commemoration of Colombian Companions

The Jesuit-run Center for Research and Education for the People in Colombia (CINEP) is commemorating their colleagues, human rights advocates Mario Calderón and Elsa Alvarado, who were murdered for their work on May 19, 1997.  CINEP has invited us to join in the commemoration.  

The two were murdered with Elsa’s father, Carlos Alvarado, because of their work with CINEP.  Mario was a former Jesuit priest, and advocate of communitarian organization in diverse regions of the country. Elsa also worked at CINEP and was the founder of their publication, Cien Dias.  The organization will celebrate the memory of Mario and Elsa on May 18 in the main Plaza Bolivar of Bogota with music, dancing and a call to the end of such violence in Colombia and the impunity that allows it to continue. (For more information, see www.cinep.org.co)  

The Jesuit Conference will write a letter to CINEP in solidarity with their work and to acknowledge the price that so many Colombians have paid for peace in their country.  We invite you to join with us by sending your own note of solidarity to them. May each small effort finally come together as a powerful force for peace and justice.

Contact information:

Centro de Investigacion y Educacion Popular – CINEP
Carrera 5, No. 33  A – 08
Bogota, Colombia, South America

Tel (57-1) 2 45 61 81
Fax (57-1) 2 87 90 89

E Mail: Comunicacion@cinep.org.co