The commission that seeks to establish the truth behind Colombia’s half-a-century armed conflict between Marxist FARC guerrillas will be led by a well-respected Jesuit priest.
The president of the commission, Francisco de Roux, has more than 40 years of experience in promoting peace and is one of the men behind the CINEP, an influential Christian think tank.
Francisco de Roux Rengifo, the Jesuit priest who founded and directed the Magdalena Medio Development and Peace Program, is one of the most respected people in peasant issues and peace building in the country.
Political analysis website La Silla Vacia
De Roux and 10 fellow commission members were elected from 193 applicants.
The elected investigators “have the necessary qualities and required commitment to advance a historic task for Colombia,” the committee in charge of electing the commission members said in an announcement.
Truth Commission members
- Saul Alonso Franco
- Lucia Victoria Gonzalez
- Carlos Martin Beristain
- Alejandra Miller
- Alfredo de la Cruz
- Carlos Guillermo Ospina
- Marta Cecilia Rui
- María Angela Salazar
- María Patricia Tobon
- Alejandro Valencia
The Truth Commission will try to reconstruct the reality of the 52-year armed conflict that has left more than 8 million victims.
Colombia creates historic Truth Commission
The investigative body is an integrated part of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), the transitional justice system in charge of imposing justice for thousands of war crimes committed by the state and guerrillas.
The Truth Commission only serves to clarify truth and will not have the authority to impose punishments. Evidence obtained in the commission may not be forwarded to be used against suspects in criminal court cases.
Top commanders of the FARC and their former paramilitary arch enemies, the AUC, have already vowed to cooperate with the commission. Hundreds of members of the military have also asked to be included in the JEP.
