Colombia’s largest insurgent group FARC claimed that they are willing to abide by international humanitarian law and seek a “special agreement” with the government.
In a letter addressed to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the FARC leadership requested, “that the ICRC [formally recognize] this pact between the government and the insurgency as a ‘Special Agreement… creating an obligation on the parties to maintain the scenario of dialogue.”
The letter, dated November 9, added, “We recognize the importance of the Geneva Conventions of 1949…as well as the additional protocols of 1977 relating to the protection of victims of armed conflict.”
Senior representatives from FARC and the Colombian government are currently trying to broker a peace deal that would end the 48-year conflict between the two sides. The latest round of formal peace talks between the guerrillas and the government ended on Thursday and are set to resume on December.
According to local media, FARC’s appeal to the ICRC may be an attempt to consolidate any agreement reached with government and hold them accountable to any promises made.