“There is no better alternative to put an end to conflicts than the path of dialogue”, congratulated the special representative and head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, Carlos Ruiz Massieu.
This was the first review of the progress of the 2016 peace agreement signed in Havana since Petro assumed the presidency of Colombia on August 7.
“Colombia has become a model of possibility and it is an issue that produces a pleasant sensation,” Colombian Foreign Minister Álvaro Leyva Durán told the press, shortly after addressing the 15 members of the Council to explain the objectives of his government. , in a speech sprinkled with literary references.
“I would say that it was a magnificent meeting,” he assured before specifying that “after some not so pleasant experiences, we have resumed the old FARC process, as well as new initiatives,” said the minister, referring to the imminent negotiations with the National Liberation Army (ELN) for which the place where they will be held has not yet been defined, despite the fact that there are “several suitors,” he said.
The “total peace” plan promised by Petro aims to promote the peace agreement signed by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army (FARC-EP) guerrilla group, as well as seek to expand dialogue with other non-signatory armed groups, such as the ELN, which for the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, is a “reason for optimism”.
In the last quarterly report (from June to September) that the UN verification mission carries out on the peace agreement, Guterres reminds the Petro government that it is “instrumental” to guarantee the necessary funds in the 2023 budget to be able to carry out carry out the agreements.
“It is crucial that reintegration leaves no one behind”, in particular the “former members of the FARC-EP” as well as the “specific needs of women, indigenous people and Afro-descendants”, says Guterres.
Persistent violence against communities, particularly indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities, former members of the FARC-EP, and human rights defenders and social leaders is of concern to the UN.
During the three months covered by the report, 15 former FARC-EP combatants were killed, bringing the number of ex-combatants killed to 342 since the signing of the peace agreement.
Likewise, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) documented 39 large-scale murders (12 verified, 26 in the process of verification and one inconclusive) and has received reports of 45 homicides against human rights defenders. humans.
After the support of the members of the Council, the renewal of the mandate of the UN verification mission for Colombia for another year is expected at the end of the month.
