Every year, human rights defenders in Colombia are honored through the National Human Rights Prize presented by Diakonia and ACT Church of Sweden, with support from the Swedish government. Awards are given across four categories: “Defender of the Year,” “Social-Community Process,” “NGO-Social Organization,” and “Lifetime Recognition”. At this year’s ceremony on 7 September, CPT Colombia nominated our longtime partner and advisor, Ubencel Duque Rojas, Director of the Program for Peace and Development of the Middle Magdalena (Programa de Desarrollo y Paz del Magdalena Medio, or Programa), for the Lifetime Recognition category.
Since we arrived in Colombia in 2001, Programa has been a foundational guide for our accompaniment work. Standing alongside Colombia’s human rights defenders means witnessing the severe risks faced by those who speak truth to power. As Mattias Brunander, Secretary General of Diakonia, shared in his opening address at the ceremony:
“Diakonia was born both from an experience of oppression and struggle for freedom, as well as from a tradition of prophetic justice and the example of Jesus. Throughout the Old Testament, whenever the people suffered injustice and abuse of power, the prophets were sent to the frontlines to speak truth and demand justice – Jeremiah, Isaiah, Amos… You who are on the frontlines today do not only lead the struggle, but embody that prophetic tradition and the struggle for freedom, truth, and justice.”
For over 25 years, Ubencel Duque has embodied this prophetic call, guided by a simple principle: Primero la Vida (Life First). Despite holding executive leadership roles, Ubencel never retreated behind a desk. For decades, communities have known him driving Programa’s iconic grey pickup truck down rugged dirt roads into conflict zones in Sur de Bolívar. Yet he approached behind-the-scenes support with equal devotion, even accompanying CPT team members to the notary for visa paperwork. For Ubencel, no task is too small when serving peace and dignity.
Quoting the Uruguayan poet Mario Benedetti, Mattias reminded us: “Te quiero porque tus manos trabajan por la justicia … Y en la calle, codo a codo, somos mucho más que dos” (…And in the street, shoulder to shoulder, we are so much more than two). Walking shoulder to shoulder with defenders like Ubencel reminds us that peacemaking is a collective, holy movement anchored in truth, faith, and transformative love.
- We pray for all nominees and grassroots leaders who risk their safety to protect their territories, families, and communities from violence and exploitation. May they be shielded from harm, and may their courageous voices continue to shake the foundations of injustice.
- We pray for and give thanks for Ubencel’s more than thirty years of humble leadership, mentorship, and accompaniment. We pray for renewed strength, health, and joy for him and the entire team at the Programa de Desarrollo y Paz del Magdalena Medio as they continue putting “Life First”.
- We pray that faith communities worldwide reject doctrines that justify oppression, discrimination, or violence. May we listen to the echo of the prophet Amos – demanding that justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
- We pray that those who stand in solidarity with Defenders/Peacemakers have the humility to listen, the endurance to walk through dangerous places, and the commitment to remain – shoulder to shoulder – until peace with justice is realized for all.
