Guterres calls for faster actions in the implementation of the Peace Agreements in Colombia

In the latest report of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, the General secretary called for prioritizing dialogue to resolve differences and noted that “faster actions” are required so that all parties involved, including victims, rural communities, ethnic peoples and ex-combatants “begin to feel more tangible the positive impact of some of the key provisions of the Agreement.”

“The successful implementation of the Peace Agreement has the potential to establish a standard against which current and future peace processes will be measuredboth in Colombia and internationally,” adds António Guterres.

The document, presented this Tuesday at the Security Council by the head of the Mission, Carlos Ruiz Massieu, covers the period between December 27, 2023 and March 26, 2024.

Transitional justice

In the presentation, Ruiz Massieu made reference to the transitional justice system established in the Agreement, and highlighted the mandate of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, focused on investigating the “most representative” cases of the conflict, the patterns associated with the most serious crimes. , as well as sanctioning those most responsible.

In this sense, welcomed that the Jurisdiction is close to issuing its first sanctions. “The victims require that this be done without further delay,” he said, and echoed the Secretary General's call to all actors involved “to foster the best possible conditions (…) through constructive dialogue, in order to overcome obstacles and find solutions within the framework of the Agreement.”

Security guarantees

The Secretary General regretted the murder of ten ex-combatants in the quarterwhich represents a total of 416 homicides of ex-combatants since the signing of the Agreement.

In this sense, Ruiz Massieu called on the Government to conclude the legal instruments that allow the implementation of the Program and the Reincorporation System, in order to consolidate the transition of ex-combatants to civilian life.

He also highlighted that entire communities, including social, indigenous and Afro-Colombian leaders, “continue to suffer the full impact of persistent violence and the limited presence of State institutions in several regions.” He added that the election last month of a new Attorney General, Luz Adriana Camargoprovides the opportunity to investigate and prosecute those responsible “with renewed vigor.”

Talks

The Secretary General congratulated the Government and the National Liberation Army for the achievements achieved so far at the negotiating table, “a process that has advanced more than any other previous attempt between the two” and called for them to continue working “with the long-term interest of Colombia in mind.”

In this regard, Ruiz Massieu clarified that ceasefires “do not replace security policies by the State aimed at providing protection and well-being to communities affected by the conflict,” but rather must be complementary. Likewise, he highlighted that trusts that progress will be made in the implementation of the policy of dismantling armed groups and the Government's defense policy with a focus on human security.

Regarding the next meeting between both parties this week in Caracas, Ruiz Massieu hopes that “the implementation of what has been agreed to date can be evaluated,” and “decisions are made” to advance the agenda agreed in the Mexico Agreement.

Likewise, according to the Secretary General, the talks between the Government and the EMC are “an opportunity to overcome difficulties, strengthen the ceasefire and advance in the definition of an agenda.” However, he stressed that the credibility of the process depends on the cessation of violence against the civilian population.

Ruiz Massieu pointed out that It is essential that they give “clear signs of their will for peace.” “Any hostility against the civilian population sends the opposite message, it erodes trust between the parties and society,” he added, in reference to the violent acts against the indigenous population in Cauca.

Rural reform, ethical chapter and gender provisions

Regarding the Comprehensive Rural Reform, the Secretary General celebrated the notable budget increases for 2024 of the National Land Agency and the Rural Development Agency and stressed the need for the “strategic use” of these resources and inter-institutional coordination to ensure that land delivery efforts reach vulnerable groups such as landless peasants, victims of conflict and rural women.

The report highlighted that the implementation of the ethnic chapter continues to face challenges. Ruiz Massieu noted that he awaits “with interest” concrete results towards the goal of achieving 60% of its implementation by 2026.

Regarding gender provisions, the report highlighted the need to increase the resources of Government entities to accelerate its implementation. In this regard, the head of the Mission hopes that the national action plan for Security Council resolution 1325 “will contribute to promoting the implementation of the women, peace and security agenda in the country.”

“The plan's principles relating to women's participation and the development of agreements that take into account the gender dimensions of conflict and peacebuilding should be given due consideration and be reflected in ongoing dialogue initiatives with armed groups”, he concluded.

LGBTQ people

Next, Marcela Sánchez, executive director of the NGO, intervened. Diverse Colombiawhich gives visibility to the impact of the conflict on women and LGBTQ people.

Sánchez highlighted that, in Colombia, people from this group, like women, “have been targeted for being who they are, due to entrenched patriarchal norms and to social and legal discrimination.”

During the conflict, LGBTQ people, particularly Afro-Colombian people and adolescents, They were persecuted, disappeared and murdered by armed actors, the director noted, adding that, as of March 2024, the Victims Unit Registry reported 6,000 LGBTQ victims. However, they still do not have accurate data on the total number of victims.

“Many LGBTQ people who survived gun violence found themselves without legal recourse due to a system that did not recognize violence against them as a crime (…) but the context of the violence makes clear that these crimes were part of a pattern of gender-based persecutiona crime against humanity that must finally be judged,” said Sánchez.

In 2023, they recorded eight LGBTQ human rights defenders killed. “Just this February, Aldinebin Ramos, co-founder of the Association LGBT Diverse Chaparrala peacemaker, was shot dead in his home by unknown attackers,” he explained, adding that every murder that is not investigated sends the message that their lives are expendable.

recommendations

“To change history there must also be accountability for gender-based violence during armed conflict,” Sánchez said, offering recommendations to the Security Council on how it can support efforts to include LGBTQ people in the peacebuilding process. peace in Colombia:

• Demand the full, equal, and safe participation of women and LGBTQ people in the implementation of the final peace agreement and in negotiations with other actors in Colombia
• Call for an end to attacks against LGBTQ people and defenders, and for those responsible to be appropriately punished
• Ask the Verification Mission to prioritize support for the implementation of the gender approach, which shows little progress, along with the ethnic approach
• Urge the government of Colombia to include the prohibition of sexual violence in all future ceasefire agreements and to include adequate judicialization of all gender-based violence in negotiations with other armed groups.
• Urge the government of Colombia to continually consult with women and LGBTQ people to develop and implement its National Action Plan on women, peace and security

Finally, Sánchez urged Council Members to think of Colombia as “a laboratory” for the implementation of the principles of equality, non-discrimination and inclusion. “Success or failure in this case could set an important precedent for the protection of LGBTQ rights in other parts of the world.”