UN highlights decrease in violence against ex-combatants in Colombia

The United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, in its newreport quarterly on the situation of the Peace Agreement, highlights that, despite the murders of six ex-combatants of the FARC-EP in different departments of Colombia, these last three months were some of the “least violent” against them “since the abandonment of weapons in 2017”.

However, the document – which covers the period from December 27, 2022 to March 26, 2023 – emphasizes that other forms of violence against them continue, “such as threats, attempted homicide, forced disappearance and kidnapping.”

The report also gives an account of the threats to ex-combatants of the ETCR of Mesetas, in Meta, and the emergency efforts to reinforce security and explore options for their relocation. It even indicates that murders have decreased in the rural areas of Caquetá, Meta, Putumayo and Norte de Santander, but that there are still high levels of violence related to the conflict in the departments of Cauca, Arauca, Chocó, Nariño and Valle del Cauca.

Since the signing of the Agreement, the Mission has verified 362 murders of ex-combatants, including 11 women, 49 Afro-Colombians and 33 indigenous people.

Advances and challenges

Regarding this recent report, the Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, highlighted some progress, despite the challenges, which according to him “are reasons for optimism”.

“The inescapable reality on the ground in Colombia today is that the consolidation of peace depends both on the comprehensive implementation of the Agreement and on the ability of the authorities to curb the expressions of violence that continue to take place,” he said, according to a​release of the Mission.

Regarding the verification of the reincorporation of ex-combatants, the document indicates that 10,577 of the more than 13,000 accredited ex-combatants (2,570 women) continue their process in more than 600 municipalities outside the former Territorial Spaces for Training and Reincorporation. Likewise, it points out that 76% of accredited ex-combatants participate in collective and individual productive projects, but with sustainability challenges.

Regarding the verification of security guarantees, Guterres insists that the security of communities affected by the conflict, social leaders and ex-combatants must be improved, being one of the main challenges.

Regarding the progress of transitional justice, the Secretary General indicates that the trial stage has begun against those appearing who have acknowledged their responsibility in cases related to the taking of hostages, other serious deprivations of liberty, concurrent crimes and other crimes.

This report is the first to include verification of the implementation of the Comprehensive Rural Reform and the Ethnic Chapter of the Peace Agreement. Regarding the reform, the Secretary General highlighted the government’s rural reform that seeks to allow more equitable and broader access to land for rural populations and those affected by the conflict, and how work is being done to deliver and formalize the land, in addition to the seeking approval by legislators of a budget to meet this objective.

In the Ethnic Chapter, the report highlights the provisions to address the demands of indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities, and stresses the role of the Vice President of Colombia, Francia Márquez, in promoting their implementation. However, she is alert to the challenges that these communities continue to face, such as insecurity.

Talks with armed groups

Guterres also highlighted the initiatives for dialogue with different armed groups carried out by the government within the framework of its “total peace” policy.

In this sense, he asked to advance in all the dialogues that allow consolidating peace in Colombia and greeted the government and ELN delegations for what they have achieved: “I am confident that we will soon see additional results as they address key agenda items in the next round, including the communities’ call for a ceasefire.”

He also referred to the ceasefire proposal that not only allows for a reduction in violence but also paves the way for the implementation of the Peace Agreement.

The report will be presented by the Special Representative of the Secretary General in Colombia, Carlos Ruiz Massieu, on April 13, before the United Nations Security Council.

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