UN urges Colombia congress to ratify war crimes tribunal

The United Nations said Monday Colombia could be in violation of international law if Congress fails to approve a transitional justice system agreed with demobilized FARC guerrillas.

The Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) has been stuck in Congress where lawmakers are reportedly expecting electoral kick-backs for their approval of the justice system that seeks justice for war crimes.


Colombia could declare emergency to save peace process


According to the United Nations’ Colombia office for Human Rights, the approval of the JEP “is essential for the effective fulfillment of international obligations in the field of human rights.”


United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Colombia

The UN is in charge of monitoring the peace process that began a year ago after an agreement to end more than half a century of armed conflict that left more than 8 million victims.

Colombia’s Congress has been in charge of the ratification of the different elements of the peace process, but has failed to approve key parts of the peace deal like the transitional justice system and a far-reaching electoral reform.

 


United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Colombia

Multiple congressmen and top members of the military have been tied to war crime investigations that would be tried by the transitional tribunal.

Additionally, with elections held in less than half a year, some congressmen are trying to use their approval as leverage in an attempt to secure funds for their districts.

A failure to ratify the agreement as signed last year could have international consequences, the UN warned.


United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Colombia

The UN has been monitoring the peace process, which can count on much resistance, particularly from political parties that in the past have used paramilitary death squads to coerce the electorate.

As a consequence of the demobilization of paramilitary umbrella organization AUC between 2003 and 2006, more than 60 congressmen and at least seven governors were imprisoned.

The International Criminal Court has said it expects the commander of the armed forces and almost two dozen other top military commanders to be investigated for the mass killing of civilians.

The transitional justice system should prosecute thousands of alleged war criminals, including former FARC commanders, members of the military, (former) elected officials and civilians.

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