The representative of the United Nations in Colombia said Monday that no victims can be excluded from truth and reparation in an ongoing peace process to end the nearly 50-year old conflict between the Colombian government and the FARC.
“Amnesties for crimes against humanity cannot be supported by the United Nations,” said Fabrizio Hochschild, speaking during the installation of the second phase of the regional peace discussions, which will consist of nine sessions in different regions across the country where civilian groups will meet with government representatives.
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In March the U.N. made a similar call to avoid granting amnesty to FARC rebels, which according to the international organization avoids “addressing past violations …. which simply violate human rights obligations.”
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While always supporting the peace process between the FARC and the Colombian government, the U.N. has voiced concerns about the protection of human rights during the process, especially in relation to the extrajudicial killings of civilians registered as FARC kills known as “false positives.”
According to Colombia’s military justice reform, jurisdiction over crimes committed by military members belongs to military tribunals.
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Colombia has been involved in peace talks with the country’s largest rebel group since November. So far, the FARC has refused to accept jail sentences and have said their armed insurgence has been justified.
