Colombia’s Minister of Defense has proposed contstructing a new legal framework for judging members of the armed forces for their actions while on duty.
Speaking to the Colombian Senate, Juan Carlos Pinzon called for soldiers to be judged by military courts which would take into account the context of the conflict, reported El Espectador.
Pinzon said, “it is necessary and advisable from a structural point of view to start to ensure that there is an appropriate framework for military personnel.”
The minister denied this would give impunity to the military, asserting that personnel would still be bound by the military penal code.
He said, “the government is not promoting anything that goes against the constitution or international commitments,” reported Caracol Radio.
Earlier in the day, U Party Senator Roy Barreras claimed soldiers were not following orders for fear of prosecution.