Nearly 500 victims along with 100 officials of national government, territorial entities, and officers of Armed Forces of Colombia, attended yesterday the Regional Center of Attention to Victims of Barranquilla, to dignify, recognize and make visible the survivors of armed conflict through of senses, symbolic acts and artistic and cultural manifestations on the National Day for Memory and Solidarity with Victims.
The first act was the most important moment for the victims to hear the words of public forgiveness from three former paramilitary fighters and postulates of justice and peace, nowadays, reintegrated into civil life.
“We are here showing our commitment to peace and reconciliation on behalf of all the people who are part of the reintegration into civilian life, we sincerely wish to apologize to each of the victims that directly or indirectly cause them so much harm. We invite you to continue building roads to achieve that long-awaited peace that we as Colombians need, “were the words of Luis, during the pardon ceremony that took place outside the regional center.
“As a head of the household mother, I want to tell you that we are willing to forgive and disarm our hearts, accept the forgiveness of these men who once caused us so much pain and suffering but it is not time to look back, if not, to move forward, our children, for your children and those of Colombia. We cannot let the past mark our present. God has commanded us to love one another and forgive them from the heart, “said Martha Hoyos, who at the end of her speech invited all victims and people present to give each other a hug as a sign of forgiveness, peace and reconciliation.
Right there, the command of the second Brigade of the National Army, unveiled the commemorative plaque that states the donation of the garden to the regional center of Barranquilla nominated “Sow a life in honor of a victim”, in which 100 plants and trees delivered by the army, were sown by the hand of victims, reintegrated, territorial directors, and officials of public entities.
Followed by this, the victims and reintegrated with the help of instructors from SENA, put their fingerprints in different colors on the ‘Forgiveness Wall’.
“This type of acts seeks to contribute to the repair of all those damages of a moral and immaterial nature that cannot be repaired solely with measures of an economic nature,” explained Alfredo Palencia, Territorial Director of Victims Unit in Atlántico.
On the other hand, the interior secretary of department, Guillermo Polo, affirmed that Atlántico Governorate and the Mayor’s Office of Barranquilla, together with all the institutions of the State, work hand in hand to promote the development and reconstruction of life of the more than 232,000 victims residing in the department.
“We want to strengthen them with projects and productive services that are related to social and natural resources of the region, we are looking for that. Many victims have already created ventures that have been woven around a seal of unity allowing them to progress, even though one day the violence wanted to stop them, but they have been more eager to get ahead and today they continue to fight for their families”, he said.
The event continued with cultural and musical presentations by SENA youth, the District Art Schools, and the troupe formed by Reintegrated and victims “In the Carnival of Barranquilla peace is Pure Joy”.
The mayorships of Sabanagrande, Soledad and Juan de Acosta also yesterday led homages to the victims from their central squares. Throughout the month of April, commemorative activities in other municipalities will continue:
April 16th. Candelaria: A commemoration event will be held with the victims of the municipality at 4:00 pm at the CIC citizen integration center.
April 23rd. Polonuevo: Act of Commemoration to victims from the central square of municipality.
April 24 Puerto Colombia: A tour to the victims accompanied by the Martial-Music Band from the City Hall to the Victims’ Walk will take place where more symbolic acts will be held. Time: 4:00 p.m.
