MARTHA LUCIA GIRALDO VILLANO
"Extrajudicial Killings in Colombia: Not in Our Name!"

Since 2000, the U.S. government has provided nearly $5 billion in military and police aid to Colombia. Despite claims of an improved human rights record, thousands of civilians are being killed by this U.S.-funded military. Further, Colombian human rights groups report a 68% increase in murders by the armed forces in a recent five-year period over the previous five years. And the rate of such extrajudicial slaughter is still on the rise! Setting human rights conditions on U.S. funding to the Colombian military clearly has been ineffective in stemming these killings or bringing those responsible to justice.

Ms. Giraldo Villano is the daughter of a small-scale farmer who was executed by the National Army. She is active in the Victims of State Crimes Movement, in which she works with other victims organizing to demand their right to truth and reparation. She hopes to be able to expose the crimes of the Colombian government by sharing with people the realities of the country, the campesinos and the marginalized.

Community Church of Boston
565 Boylston St. (Copley Square)
www.communitychurchofboston.org

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