The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights will observe peace talks between the government of Colombia and rebel group FARC, reported local media on Monday.
Humberto de la Calle, the chief negotiator for the Colombian government, will reportedly meet with representatives of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) before the talks resume.
The IACHR have expressed interest in observing the negotiations in Havana. The meeting with de la Calle will update the organization on the progress thus far.
BACKGROUND: Colombia peace talks
President Juan Manuel Santos is also scheduled to discuss the negotiations with his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro on Monday as both leaders are in Chile for an international summit. European leaders, who are similarly attending the First Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, expressed their support for the Colombia peace process.
BACKGROUND: Colombia to address illegal weapons sales at Latin America summit
“I commend the efforts of President Santos to end the conflict in Colombia,” said the president of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, at a press conference with Santos.
Herman Van Rompoy, president of the European Council, echoed Barroso’s statements saying that peace would generate social and economic benefits in Colombia and improve security in the region.
The FARC and the Santos administration have been involved in peace talks for over a year aimed at ending Colombia’s almost half-a-century-long armed conflict.