In the latest report on the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, which covers the period from December 27, 2022 to March 26, 2023, the General secretary He welcomes the progress in the peace process with optimism, and praises “the additional efforts underway to broaden the scope of peace through dialogue.”
However, he assures that “the inescapable reality on the ground (…) is that the consolidation of peace depends so much on the comprehensive implementation of the Agreement (of Peace) and the ability of the authorities to stop expressions of violence that continue to be produced”, says António Guterres in the report.
In this sense, Guterres urgently urges defuse the conflict and to persevere in the search for peace through dialogue. In addition, he salutes the government and ELN delegations for their constructive exchange during the second cycle of negotiations in Mexico.
“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 said.
The Secretary General assures that, if carried out properly, the ceasefire “has the potential to reduce violence and build trust in the incipient dialogue processes, while alleviating the obstacles” to the implementation of the Peace Agreement.
The actions to comply with the Agreement and the dialogue initiatives with different armed groups carried out by the Government within the framework of its policy of complete peace “They reinforce each other,” he adds.
comprehensive rural reform
This report is the first to include verification of the implementation of the Comprehensive Rural Reform and the Ethnic Chapter of the Peace Agreement, in accordance with resolution 2673 (2023) of the Security Councilapproved in January of this year.
In this regard, the Secretary General has highlighted the actions taken so far and the commitment of overcome historical inequalities, which are among the causes of the conflict in the country.
Guterres has made reference to the government project, National Development Planwhich includes a large budget allocation for the first point of the Agreement, and specifications to allow a more equitable and extensive access to land by rural populations and people affected by the conflict.
ethnic chapter
The report underlines the importance of the provisions of the Ethnic Chapter to address historical demands of indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities, whose implementation has been less compared to other points of the Agreement.
The document highlights the role assigned to the office of the vice president of the Republic to promote its implementation and also records the Government’s actions on land restitution for these communities.
It also refers to the obstacles that indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities continue to face, including the unsafety in different departments of the country.
Security
Despite the murders of six former FARC-EP combatants during the reporting period, this last quarter was one of the least violent since laying down their weapons in 2017. However, other forms of violence against them continue, such as threats, attempted murder, forced disappearance and kidnapping.
The Mission has observed a reduction in killings amid fighting in rural areas of Caquetá, Meta, Putumayo and Norte de Santander. However, high levels of conflict-related violence are cause for concern in Cauca, Arauca, Chocó, Nariño and Valle del Cauca.
The FARC in Putumayo handed over their weapons in 2017 as part of the Colombian Peace Agreement. Here the UN transports them in a container.
Social reintegration and transitional justice
In terms of reincorporation verification, the report highlights that 10,577 of the more than 13,000 accredited ex-combatants continue their process in more than 600 municipalities throughout the country.
Faced with the advances in transitional justice, the Secretary General indicates that he has begun the trial stage that will lead to the issuance of their own sanctions against those appearing who have acknowledged responsibility and contributed to the truth, in relation to crimes committed in the department of Norte from Santander.
gender inequality
The report also notes that gender inequalities persist and has referenced the specific risks faced by women, girls and LGBTI people, which continue to hinder their effective participation in peacebuilding efforts.
Guterres acknowledges the leading role of Colombian women as builders of peace and agents of justice and reconciliation. “I am confident that their meaningful participation will be ensured so that their voices can continue to influence the ongoing debates around peace and security. The United Nations is inspired by her example and stands by her side,” she said.
