Bogota, January 6, 2023. In his latest report on the UN Verification Mission to Colombia, covering the period from 27 September to 26 December 2022, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that during the first months of his has taken steps to prove its purpose. Determination to move forward towards the consolidation of peace in Colombia. “I am pleased that comprehensive implementation of the final peace agreement is central to that effort.” says the Secretary General.
The Secretary-General is encouraged by the government’s outreach to rural populations and the government’s agreement with the Cattle Farm Association to purchase land for comprehensive rural reform. “This clearly shows that all sectors of Colombian society can and should contribute meaningfully to the implementation of the agreement.” Furthermore, the Secretary-General emphasized the participation of communities, including conflict-affected people and former FARC-EP members, in dialogue for the formulation of national development plans, stating that “this document will guide public policy going forward. I believe that it is something. He meets their expectations for peace and development and incorporates concrete steps towards implementing the final agreement. ”
The Secretary General said: Constructive dialogue between the parties is essential for implementationIn this regard, the Secretary-General will follow-up on the implementation of the final agreement, resume the Commission’s sessions for facilitation and verification, and create by agreement to address such important issues as the implementation of ethnic issues. We welcome the reopening of other forums that have and gender norms.
The report said the government’s comprehensive approach to peace implementation should boost the reintegration process of more than 13,000 ex-combatants who remain committed to peace. As a positive development, the Secretary-General stressed the recent re-opening of the National Reintegration Council and the appointment of a new Director General of the Agency for Reintegration and Normalization, and emphasized the close relationship between the Government and ex-combatant representatives. We look forward to your cooperation. He shared responsibility for ensuring the long-term success of the reintegration process. To date, his 75% of certified ex-combatants participate in collective and individual production projects. Her 84% of female ex-combatants are involved in productive projects, but many continue to face the challenge of actively participating in decision-making.
Despite some positive developments in recent years, there is no denying that the violence of the Secretary-General is the greatest threat to the consolidation of peace in Colombia. Regions historically affected by limited state presence, such as Arauca, South Bolivar, Choco, and Putumayo, continued to suffer from illegal armed violence during this period.
Since the signing of the peace accord, the mission has identified the killing of 355 ex-combatants (11 female, 48 Afro-Colombian, and 33 Indigenous), with 12 (all male) killed during this period. was done. A total of 50 ex-combatants (one female) will die in 2022, a 7.4% decrease from 2021.
Violence against civilians, social leaders and human rights defenders remains a major concern, especially in sectors prioritizing implementation of the agreement. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has received allegations that 244 human rights defenders have been killed in 2022 (101 verified, 25 pending verification, 118 inconclusive). is considered). Indigenous and Afro-Colombian leaders and members of local government boards were the most targeted leaders. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs showed that between January 2022 and November 2022, he had 78,154 people forcibly displaced and about 108,665 people were confined to their homes. The provinces of Cauca, Chocó, Nariño and Valle del Cauca account for the majority of the civilian population affected.
Given the complexity of the violence, the promotion of a policy of “perfect peace” through full implementation of the Final Agreement and other dialogue efforts will play a fundamental role in improving living conditions in communities.
Given the complexity of the ongoing violence, the secretary-general said the government’s “total peace” policy incorporates new approaches aimed at stopping the suffering of communities, including most The Secretary-General described the resumption of negotiations between governments and ELNs as encouraging and encouraged the process through his Special Representative to take full responsibility for the process. Reiterate your support. The Secretary-General further emphasizes that: “Combining the implementation of key provisions of the peace accord with dialogue efforts can significantly reduce violence.”
A comprehensive system of truth, justice, compensation, and non-repetition takes decisive steps to put victims at the center of their progress
The report also describes progress with a comprehensive system of truth, justice, reparation and non-repetition. In a step towards issuing the Restoration Judgment, the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (SJP) announced that seven former FARC-EP commanders, 22 military personnel, and one civilian would qualify for his SJP. We recently submitted final resolutions on cases 01 and 03 that we believe to be the case. make restorative judgments. For the Secretary-General, this is evidence that the SJP is “determined to bring justice to serious crimes committed during the conflict”.
The report highlights that the Missing Persons Search Unit has recovered 611 bodies and handed over 167 bodies to families since its creation. and civil society, have continued to raise awareness of the recommendations and promote ownership. According to the Secretary-General, to achieve the objectives of Colombia’s state-of-the-art transitional justice system, mechanisms in place to ensure that victims are at the center of the process are essential.
For the Secretary General, Colombia’s peace process is at a dynamic new stage that deserves strong international support.
“The United Nations is honored to continue working with the people of Colombia in this encouraging opportunity to consolidate peace.”
The Secretary-General’s report will be presented to the UN Security Council on 11 January 2023 by Carlos Ruiz Mathieu, Special Representative of the Secretary-General of Colombia.
Download the Secretary-General’s Report on the UN Colombia Verification Mission. S/2022/1004
Download the Secretary-General’s Infographic Report on the UN Colombia Verification Mission. S/2022/1004
