The magistrates of the Non-Recognition Section of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) summoned a public hearing for the next October 20 and 21, in development of the study of the precautionary measures on the ‘Project for the Restoration of the degraded ecosystems of the Canal del Dique’.
This diligence arises from the request made since 2021 to the JEP to decree precautionary measures with the aim of protecting the bodies of people who were thrown into that river complexin the context of the armed conflict.
The JEP pointed out that in this judicial proceeding, which will take place in Cartagena, magistrates expect to collect additional information and above all, guarantee the participation of victims and their families in the judicial process.
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The request for measures to protect the Canal del Dique was filed by black, Palenquera and Raizal communities linked to the Cimarronaje Route in the Colombian Caribbean, which brings together more than 200 social organizations and leaders in the region.
“The hearing will promote a technical and informed dialogue between the requesting communities, the national and departmental entities involved in carrying out the Canal del Dique restoration megaproject, experts on environmental and ethnic issues, the JEP and the Unit for the Search of Persons Considered Disappeared (UBPD)”, indicates the decision of the JEP.
According to the magistrates, this hearing will be a stage to evaluate the most suitable measures so that the implementation of the state contract that will be awarded allows preserve possible places of disposal or burial of bodies of victims of enforced disappearance in the area of influence of the project.
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“In addition to guaranteeing the participation of victims and identifying the needs for an institutional response, the JEP hopes to contribute to the construction of the Regional Search Plan for the subregion of North Bolívar and Canal del Dique of the UBPD“, added the JEP.
