From Ireland to Colombia: Fórsa stands proudly with Colombia’s fight for peace, justice, and dignity. Our union’s flag flies high at Casa Pazcífico in Cali, a beacon of hope for families torn by conflict, and proof that solidarity knows no borders. 

A journey of solidarity 

In November 2025, Fórsa joined a Justice for Colombia (JFC) delegation to assess the progress of the 2016 peace agreement. JFC is an organisation that connects Irish and British unions with Colombian civil society and ensures that the voices of workers, activists, and communities are heard internationally in the struggle for peace and justice, reflecting Fórsa’s own commitment to defending trade union rights and supporting global movements for reconciliation. 

The 2016 peace agreement was designed to end more than five decades of armed conflict between the Colombian government and the FARC guerrilla movement, laying the foundation for peace, justice, and reconciliation.

While it marked the first steps toward peace, Colombia’s journey remains complex and uncertain, with armed group violence, social unrest, including persistent threats against trade unionists, and unresolved land disputes continuing to challenge the path to lasting stability. 

On the ground, Fórsa delegates met with government officials, the Irish Ambassador to Colombia, ex-combatants, trade unionists, human rights defenders, and grassroots leaders from social movements and local communities. Each conversation carried the weight of lived experience, giving the delegation powerful insights into Colombia’s fragile journey toward peace and highlighting Fórsa’s solidarity as a vital force in that struggle. 

“The peace agreement brought hope, but the struggle continues.” 

Casa Pazcífico: A beacon of hope 

In Cali, capital of Valle del Cauca, the delegation visited the Pazcífico Human Rights Centre known locally as Casa Pazcífico. Founded in 2018 by activists including Darnelly Rodríguez, it protects those under threat: displaced families, activists falsely labelled insurgents, and protesters unjustly imprisoned during the 2021 estallido social (social outbreak), a nationwide wave of protests sparked by inequality, state violence, and a proposed tax reform that grew into a broader demand for justice and dignity. 

Casa Pazcífico receives financial support from Fórsa's Developing World Fund, while Justice for Colombia funds psychological workshops for victims and their families. It stands as a temporary refuge for those whose lives are in danger, or for individuals facing direct violations of their human rights, until the government can provide a long term solution. 

In 2024, 54 people found shelter there. This year, 18 have already been hosted and they expect a lot of people in December. Darnelly explained that they always try to accommodate as many people as possible: “One time we received 28 people at once. We had to get air mattresses to accommodate them on the floors. But we managed, all as part of one big family.” 

Walking into Casa Pazcífico, visitors are greeted by a large Fórsa flag and photographs of the estallido social, a tribute to those whose rights were violated, and a reminder that the struggle continues. Fórsa’s solidarity is not symbolic; it is visible, tangible, and deeply felt. 

Voices of pain and resistance 

Isabel, Lucy and Carlos 

During our visit to Casa Pazcifico, Isabel* told us how her son Carlos*, a student at Universidad del Valle, was arrested and charged with serious crimes simply for exercising his right to protest against injustice, violence, and social inequality during the social outbreak. “My son’s rights were violated the moment they put him unfairly in jail. Inside, prison mafias demanded money at every turn. First, they told me that if I wanted him to have a place to sleep or even food to eat, I had to pay. Later they called again, saying his meals were served raw, and if I wanted him to eat cooked food, I would have to pay extra.” 

Carlos’s sister, Lucy*, who has been deeply involved in supporting her brother and continuously sought legal advice on his behalf, recalled: "When I read the charges, it felt like I was reading Pablo Escobar’s indictment. I knew instantly this wasn’t my brother, the accusations were fabricated, every word made up." 

Eventually, the justice system had to release him due to lack of evidence. But Carlos*, once a vibrant football coach and community leader, left prison broken: introverted, fearful, and relentlessly harassed by police. No longer feeling safe in his own home, he fled to Uruguay, where he is now seeking political asylum. This situation tore his family apart, leaving them separated and struggling to rebuild their lives. Volunteers at Casa Pazcífico have been advising and supporting the family through this painful journey. 

Carmen’s fight for justice 

Carmen’s* son was accused of “attacking police” during protests, though he was simply going back home from work. Carmen worked extra hours to support her family and her son in prison, while trying to clear his name. She explained:  “I searched tirelessly for CCTV footage until I found proof that my son was elsewhere at the time.” 

It was the only case out of hundreds where the government admitted they had accused wrongly. Yet she still waits for compensation for all the damage. With tears in her eyes, she added: “My son was a healthy young man before prison. Now he struggles with a severe drug addiction.” She explained that the family dynamic has been completely shattered, and although she is receiving psychological support through Casa Pazcífico, the damage inflicted can never truly be undone. 

Why Fórsa’s support matters 

Casa Pazcífico not only provides shelter to those in urgent need, but it also continues to support families like Isabel’s and Carmen’s with legal guidance, assistance, and psychological support made possible through Fórsa’s contributions and dedicated volunteers. It stands as a true lifeline for those abandoned by the system in Colombia. 

The stories heard were heartbreaking, but they also revealed extraordinary resilience. Casa Pazcífico is a symbol of hope, and Fórsa’s support is part of that hope. 

Reflecting on the project Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan said: “Fórsa’s presence in Colombia is more than international solidarity, it is a proud statement that our union stands shoulder to shoulder with those fighting for justice, dignity, and peace all around the world.” 

*Names of some individuals have been changed to protect their identity. 

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