Colombian peace process under pressure
by Bernard Harbor
 
Pictured above: ICTU president Gerry Murphy on the delegation to Colombia.
Pictured above: ICTU president Gerry Murphy on the delegation to Colombia.

Colombia’s peace process is under threat from the rising number of murders of community leaders and human rights activists, according to a report released this week by the Irish-British NGO Justice for Colombia (JFC).

 

It says over 250 activists have been killed in 2020, and more than 240 former FARC combatants, and 44 of their family members, have been murdered since the signing of the 2016 peace accord.

 

JFC says the Colombian Government’s verbal commitment to the peace process is “often contradicted by political decisions or inaction, which push in the opposite direction.” It cites underfunding of the peace process, slow implementation of rural reforms, and recent human rights scandals involving Colombian security forces.

 

Published on foot of an international delegation to Colombia, which included the ICTU president Gerry Murphy, the report sets out the principal advances and concerns facing the historic peace deal signed by the Colombian Government and the FARC guerrilla organisation over four years ago.

 

Commenting on the report, Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan called on the Irish Government to step-up diplomatic pressure on the Colombian administration.

 

“Given the unique perspective and experience of the Irish peace process, our Government is perfectly placed to encourage the Colombian authorities to deliver on their commitments. Fórsa is proud of its strong support for JFC, and this report explains, yet again, why Colombia must remain in the international human rights spotlight,” he said.

 

The report also highlights some areas of progress, and praises the work of the transitional justice system. Made up of a peace tribunal, a truth commission, and a unit to search for people who have disappeared, the transitional justice mechanisms “give an opportunity for victims to have their rights recognised on a scale never previously achieved in Colombia,” it says.

 

This is JFCs third report into the peace process, published as part of its peace monitor project, which involves arranging delegations of politicians and trade unionists to observe the peace process in progress. The most recent visit included meetings with human rights organisations, the Colombian Government, the FARC, and the UN Verification Mission.

 

Read the report HERE

 

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