A forum for victims of Colombia’s armed conflict is being held at the House of Memory museum in Medellin to prepare proposals that will be sent to the peace talks between the government and the country’s largest rebel group, the FARC.
The museum is currently hosting a forum that will bring together 280 people from nine neighborhoods in Colombia’s second largest city, according to Colombia’s Radio Santa Fe.
The role of the forum is to provide the voice of victims from the region and will feature a panel called “The armed conflict in Antioquia,” among other events and conferences.
Participants include human rights activists and members of institutions and organizations such as the Unit for Integral Care and Victims’ Reparation, the Agency for Cooperation and Investment of Medellin, the National Network of Peace Initiatives (REDEPAZ), and the Pontificia Bolivariana University.
According to Radio Sante Fe, Colombia’s northern state of Antioquia has the highest number of people affected by the armed conflict with more than 1.3 million victims.
The two-day forum, entitled “Voces de Paz” (Voices of Peace), began July 31 and continues through August 1, according to the museum’s website.
The Colombian government has been in peace talks with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) since November 2012. The dialogue made history when both sides decided to include victims in the talks and marked the first time the FARC has claimed responsibilities for victims.
Sources
- Medellín acoge a las víctimas del conflicto armado (Radio Santa Fe)
- Voces de Paz: Medellin y Antioquia le hablan a la mesa de negociacion de La Habana (House of Memory museum)