September 28, 2016

Peace deal not the end for Colombia

located:	Colombia
editor:	FAIRPLANET

The armed conflict in Colombia that saw 7.9 million deaths and forced the displacement of another 6.9 7 million people has an end in sight via a peace deal reached this week.

The historic agreement between the Colombian government and the largest guerilla group, was signed on Monday. It still waits to be ratified on October 2.

As Amnesty International argues:

"The transitional justice model agreed last year by the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) will go some way to ensure a degree of truth, justice and reparation for some of the victims of the conflict.

"However, many of its provisions appear to fall short of international law and standards on victims’ rights. For example, the punishments for those who admit responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity do not reflect the gravity of such crimes. Likewise, the definition of command responsibility could allow many guerrilla and security force commanders to evade justice for human rights abuses and violations committed by their subordinates.

"Colombia has come a long way since its most violent years. However, human rights abuses and violations against marginalized communities, particularly Indigenous, Afro-descendant and peasant farmer communities, as well as against human rights defenders, including community leaders, trade unionists and land rights activists, continue unabated."

The pen might be mightier than the sword, but real action to prevent violence and corruption will be necessary after the ink has dried.