Dr. Norma Jackson attends White House to discuss Afro-Colombian Communities

July 23, 2007

Briefing with Afro-Colombian Women Leaders on Afro-Colombian Territorial Rights and Dangers to Children in the Department of Choc

Afro-Colombian communities suffer from some of the highest indices of poverty, social and economic exclusion, and internal displacement due to the internal armed conflict in the country.  Although Afro-Colombian communities have unique territorial rights and autonomy under Colombian and international law, specifically through Law 70 of 1993, many seek increased international attention to fully implement these rights.  Last month, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to include language about respect for Afro-Colombian rights in the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Act of 2008 and increased alternative development aid to these communities, and will soon decide on whether to pass the Free Trade Agreement with Colombia.

Please join the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee for a staff briefing to address these issues in greater detail on Monday, July 23rd at 3:00 pm in 2200 Rayburn.  Panelists will offer their perspectives on how they believe U.S. assistance and political engagement with Colombian authorities can be directed so as to better secure the territorial rights of Afro-Colombian communities.  They will address the complex set of factors that play a role in the current situation of Afro-descendants in Colombia, including the "para-politics" scandal, land title disputes, and poverty.  Panelist Zulia Mena Garca met with President Bush during his recent trip to Colombia and will discuss the President's meeting with Afro-Colombian organizations as well as access to healthcare in the Department of Choc.

Rep. Maria Isabel Urrutia, a Congressional Member in Colombia's House of Representatives, represents the interests and concerns of Afro-Colombians in Congress and serves on a commission that addresses labor rights and family issues in Colombia.  Congresswoman Urrutia was also the first Colombian woman to win gold at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sidney.

Dr. Norma Lozano Jackson, Afro-Colombian Professor and Director of International Programs at Benedict College, is the author of an official English translation of the Black Communities Law in Colombia, or Law 70.

Ms. Zulia Mena Garca was elected to Congress in 1994, and served four years as Colombia's first Afro-Colombian congresswoman.  Before entering Congress, Ms. Mena played a key role in the development of Law 70 regarding Afro-Colombian territorial rights following the ratification of Colombia's new constitution in 1991.  Today, Ms. Mena Garca continues her work in Choc as a social worker and community organizer, working with such issues as ethnic minorities, women's rights, land rights, and citizen participation in democracy.

Media Contact(s):
Kymm Hunter, Public Relations Director, 803-705-6654, hunterk@benedict.edu
Natalie Brown, Assistant Director of Public Relations, 803-705-4366, brownn@benedict.edu

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