Six days of fast and reflection
Over the past week, the CCR have suspended many of their activities and projects in order to concentrate all their energy and dedication to the organisation of a six day fast, called in Spanish an Ayuno. This fast, also coordinated by the human rights group Pro-Busqueda, was an attack against a Salvadorian state that refuses to punish those responsible for war time crimes and that leaves many questions and mysteries unresolved. It was an Ayuno in the name of all the lost children during the war, who were through the Salvadorian army and Red Cross, kidnapped and sold. Pro-Busqueda’s work reunites families with their lost children, and though many have been found, there still remain many unresolved cases. This Ayuno was a reminder of the work being done and what the state is failing to undertake as a serious and most pressing task. The six days were also used as a protest against the mining projects in Chalatenango, and the destruction of the environment and livelihoods that will ensue as a result. But above all, the Ayuno was an expression of solidarity and strength, demonstrating that a united people can challenge the empty promises and hopes the State continues to give. Of course, an Ayuno such as this can be undertaken at any time, for what it stands for is pertinent in any year. But the events that have occurred over the last twelve months have made the need for a fast of this nature even more urgent.
The first of March, 2005, the Interamerican Court of Human Rights publicly denounced for the first time in history the Salvadorian state. The sentence passed by the Court announced that the state must ask for forgiveness before the Serrano Cruz family who in the year 1982, reported their two young daughters kidnapped by the military.
The family’s case was refused, denied until flatly ignored by the state, despite the overwhelming evidence presented by the family and the support it received from human rights activists such as Pro-Busqueda. The Court also ordered the state to carry out a proper and thorough investigation into the Serrano case, as well as to create a National Commission in search of youths disappeared during the war. This court ordering has come as a blessing to the Salvadorian people, especially the Serrano family who now have international backing in this battle for justice and justification.
So when a conference was organised in Chalate on the 23 rd of March this year with the intention of having the government coming round to face its responsibilities, spirits were high. However, what had been anticipated as an opportunity for humility and forgiveness on the part of the state, turned out to be nothing more than an execution of propaganda, with state-owned Medias portraying the event as a success when in fact nothing was achieved. This conference, later described by CCR and Pro-Busqueda as a “burla”, a farce or mockery, failed to respond to the Inter-American Court’s ordinance on several levels. Firstly, the president was absent, whereas it is expected that he be present at such events, as demonstrated in Guatemala and Honduras when their respective presidents asked for forgiveness for the atrocities committed against the people of those countries. Secondly, not once did the government representative ask for forgiveness, or even mention the Serrano case. Thirdly, there was no expression or even hint of a response to the order made by the Court. The conference left people angry and frustrated, when nothing productive had been achieved except for the growing resentment against a state that does not listen. It was in the aftermath of this that the Ayuno took place a couple of days later. The CCR announced that had this conference proved successful, and had the president been present and asked for forgiveness, the Ayuno would have been cancelled. But because those responsible for wartime crimes still continue to hold the reigns of this country, and because cases unresolved such as the hundreds of children kidnapped during the war fail to be at the top of the government’s agenda, it is now more than ever of the highest necessity to carry out a fast, and express the illegality of the state’s refusal to cooperate.
Photo: Locals attending the closing ceremony of the Ayuno, and supporting the Court’s denouncement of the Salvadorian State
For over a month now, the CCR have been organising this six day fast, and has raised awareness and attracted participation in the numerous communities under its coordination. Each member of the CCR council has held meetings in their respective communities and organised buses to take people to and from the fast. Every day of the Ayuno, a new community would come and fast for 24 hours, joining those who were fasting for the entire length of the Ayuno. The CCR then formed several committees in charge of organising the logistics of the Ayuno. Once permission was granted by the Cathedral to hold the fast under its roof, one committee came to arrange the area, clearing space and assuring safety for the expected participants. Another group was commissioned to organise the availability of toilets and liquids. The participants were allowed to use the bathrooms in the town hall across the main square, and in a nearby house that wished to support the event. Liquids were provided, principally water, but also honey and sugar cane juice. A committee was also formed to create the decoration of the Ayuno. Numerous banners and posters were made and collected, explaining why the Ayuno was taking place, and expressing its stand against impunity, the violation of human rights and the mining projects. The Ayuno was made possible with the support of the church, the mayor and the regional radio Sumpul, who helped spread awareness about the Ayuno and documented the event day to day,.
Photo: Members of the CCR and others during their week of fasting
Nelson Rivera Alfaro, a member of the CCR and coordinator of its youth program, said that there were a few challenges along the way, amongst them, the problem of toilets. Participants of the Ayuno had to leave the cathedral and cross several hundred metres before reaching them, therefore breaching the idea that “ayunantes” must stay in the same place the whole time. Another problem was the lack of t-shirts and mattresses available for all the participants. This detail is however a good sign that more people than expected volunteered to take part.
Cultural activities were held throughout the week, organised mainly by Julio Cesar Monge, a founder of a regional theatre school, TNT (Tiempos Nuevos Teatro). Every night there were either musical performances, contemporary dances or topical plays, portraying the history of the communities, life during the war and experiences had in refugee camps in Honduras. Films such as “Romero” and “Innocent Voices” were also projected. These cultural activities were held outside the cathedral every evening, attracting the whole town. This entertainment was an opportunity to raise further awareness of the Ayuno, bringing in non-participants into this week of protest.
The closing ceremony of the fast was held on Tuesday 28 th, and was attended not only by all those who had fasted during the week, but also many supporters who had been unable to participate. Speeches were made by the CCR and Pro-Busqueda, as well as the priest and a member of the Serrano family. The event attracted national and international attention, and one of the biggest achievements was that the Interamerican Court was made aware of the Ayuno. It managed to raise consciousness amongst those who knew little about the children kidnapped during the war and the ongoing denial of responsibility from the part of the government. Members of the CCR were exhausted, and most probably very hungry after such a week, but the immensity of the achievement was felt, along with the encouragement they have inspired to stand strong and together in the face of upcoming challenges.
Photo: “Ayunantes” sitting together in the closing ceremony
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