The Security Council calls for the rapid dismantling of illegal armed groups in Colombia

The members of the Security Council reiterated this Friday their full and unanimous support for the peace process in Colombia and, in this context, they welcomed the commitment of President-elect Gustavo Petro to deepen its implementation and even “seek a broader peace through dialogue with other illegal armed groups.

In a statement, the members of the Security Council also indicated that they had been informed of the intention of the incoming administration to start talks with the ELN and reiterated once again that the peace process in Colombia continues to be an example for the world. of the possibility of resolving the armed conflict through dialogue.

But in the statement, the 15 current members of the Security Council also underlined his “concern over the persistent threats, attacks and killings against former members of the FARC-EP who laid down their arms as participants in the peace process, as well as against community and social leaders, including women and indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities.”

For this reason, they reaffirmed their call for the National Commission for Security Guarantees to quickly adopt a public policy to dismantle illegal armed groups and underlined the need to increase the integrated presence of the State in the areas affected by the conflict.

In that context, Council members welcomed the incoming administration’s commitment to create the necessary conditions for the cessation of hostilities between all illegal armed groups and the prevention of violence against civilians.

Other pending challenges

In addition, they underlined the importance of addressing the remaining challenges on rural reform and reintegration and security of ex-combatantsincluding expanding access to land and housing, improving education and employment opportunities, and ensuring support for the many who live outside the former Territorial Training and Reintegration Zones to ensure the sustainable reintegration of the veterans.

The document also highlights the importance of continuing to apply the action plan of the Comprehensive Program of Guarantees for Women Leaders and Human Rights Defenders.

All these reactions from the Council come days after it was made aware of the last quarterly report of the General secretary on the implementation of the Final Peace Agreement, presented to that body by the head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, Carlos Ruiz Massieu.

After also reaffirming their full support for the three components of the Comprehensive System of Truth, Justice, Reparation and Non-Repetition, they welcomed the publication of the final report of the Truth Commission, which they pointed to “as an unprecedented opportunity for the Colombians reconcile with their past and as a stepping stone to long-term reconciliation and lasting peace.”

The members of the Security Council also applauded the progress made by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) in recent months, including the public hearings, in which the perpetrators acknowledged, in the presence of the victims, their responsibility for the crimes committed. during the armed conflict.