The National Committees of the Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC) in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Dominican Republic, and Uruguay, express deep concern over the increasing violence in the region, and its impact on children and adolescents.

We condemn all forms of violence, wherever it comes from! As people of Faith, we have an ethical obligation to raise our voice against injustices and violations of human rights, especially of children and adolescents.

We are particularly concerned about the cases of violence against children and adolescents that have been registered in Ecuador, Chile, Bolivia, and Haiti, in the context of recent social demonstrations, as well as in Colombia during its long history of violence. The use of force by secuity forces and law enforcement officers in these countries has included arbitrary detentions, abuse and ill-treatment of children and adolescents, and even the death of some of them. These situations keep repeating themselves and we fear that they will expand in the region.

Beyond the political situations that caused these situations, we recall that States are guarantors of the rights of children and adolescents, and that it is their obligation to undertake all the necessary measures to protect them in any circumstance.

We commit our prayers and actions for the dignity of all children and adolescents in the region, and reaffirm our commitment to the construction of peaceful societies, in a framework of full respect and guarantee of human rights.

Signed on November 15, 2019.

GNRC–Argentina                         GNRC–Guatemala

GNRC–Brazil                               GNRC–Mexico

GNRC–Chile                                GNRC–Nicaragua

GNRC–Colombia                         GNRC–Panama

GNRC–Cuba                                GNRC–Peru

GNRC–Ecuador                            GNRC–Dominican Republic

GNRC–El Salvador                       GNRC–Uruguay