Colombia’s high court has ordered the government to uphold 10 criteria to effectively repair victims of the country’s armed conflict, local media reported Thursday.
The new guidelines aim to make reparations processed more transparent and secures victims to receive a “fair, prompt and proportionate” solution.
The guidelines are explicit about victims of forced displacement’s entitlement to fair and full compensation and also highlight that reparations should not be confused with humanitarian aid.
Congress approved a law granting compensation to victims and the restitution of stolen lands in 2011. The initiative was supported by the administration of President Juan Manuel Santos who has since struggled to effectively implement the compensation and the return home of displaced farmers.
Colombia’s armed conflict has displaced millions over the past decade. Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed in the violence since the 1940s.