Colombian government, rebels agree on reparations for war victims

Record ID: 122491

  • Title: Colombian government, rebels agree on reparations for war victims
  • Date: 16th December 2015
  • Summary: SAN VICENTE DEL CAGUAN, COLOMBIA (FILE) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF GUERRILLAS IN FORMATION AND MARCHING WOMAN GUERRILLA FIGHTER GUERRILLA BOOTS MARCHING
  • Embargoed: 31st December 2015 01:56
  • Keywords: Colombia peace rebels FARC reparations victims Juan Manuel Santos Cuba Havana
  • Location: BOGOTA, GUAYABETAL, MITU, SAN VICENTE DEL CAGUAN, COLOMBIA / HAVANA, CUBA
  • City: BOGOTA, GUAYABETAL, MITU, SAN VICENTE DEL CAGUAN, COLOMBIA / HAVANA, CUBA
  • Country: Colombia
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace
  • Reuters ID: LVA0083E3OPXJ
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Representatives of the Colombian government and leftist FARC rebels signed an agreement on Tuesday (December 15) on reparations for war victims and the establishment of special tribunals to try former combatants once the two sides reach a definitive peace pact.
    The signing ceremony in Havana helps put peace talks back on track toward reaching a March 23 deadline for a comprehensive plan to end Latin America's longest war, which has killed 220,000 people and displaced millions since 1964.
    The partial agreement was the result of 18 months of work in which 3,000 victims of the rebels, government troops and right-wing paramilitary groups participated and offered thousands of proposals. Sixty victims gave testimony to peace negotiators in Havana, the site of the peace talks for the past three years.
    The accord creates a truth commission to clarify what happened in the war and promises to search for thousands of missing people, identify their remains and return them. It also attempts to ensure those affected will not be victimised again.
    Speaking in Bogota, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said the deal would bring those who committed grave crimes to justice.
    "The cornerstone of this agreement is that there is not going to be amnesty for crimes against humanity, serious war crimes, genocide, in general grave violations of human rights and grave breaches of international humanitarian law such as kidnapping, extrajudicial executions, disappearances and forced displacement, torture, sexual violence and the forced recruitment of minors. There will be no amnesty for these crimes but they will be tried and punished by a new jurisdiction," he said.
    While attempting to offer as much amnesty as possible, the new courts would reduce sentences for those who admit guilt and exclude from amnesty those responsible for war crimes or crimes against humanity.
    Former rebels and soldiers who confess to crimes committed during the conflict will receive 5-year to 8-year sentences of supervised "restrictions of liberty," which would involve surveillance and monitoring but not jail.
    "In truth, perhaps the most concerning issue is the disappearances from the conflict, either forced disappearances, kidnapping, recruitment or targeted killings, for which we have a special unit for humanitarian and extrajudicial (issues) in the search and identity (of victims)," added Santos.
    Doubts over the terms of punishment have caused consternation in Colombia, where some are unwilling to forgive the crimes of their former enemies. Other critics complain FARC members might escape punishment or extradition to the United States, where some are wanted on drug-trafficking charges.
    Santos sought to reassure Colombians that the country has never been closer to peace.
    "Colombians, we have never been so close to peace. The negotiations have gained pace and are advancing towards an agreement to bring an end to the Colombian armed conflict. I understand that there are concerns. This is not a simple issue. With few exceptions, we have all lived under armed conflict. Some have suffered more than others but we have all suffered." he said.
    Any final, comprehensive deal with the FARC would need to be approved by Colombian voters.
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