Colombia

Conflict between government, guerrillas, and paramilitaries Conflict in Colombia from 1958 until peace talks began in 2012 resulted in at least 220,000 deaths and one of the world’s largest internationally displaced populations. Poverty, inequality, and drug-trafficking are both root causes and results of the conflict, which saw the rise and decline of various powerful drug cartels, guerrilla groups, and paramilitaries. Peace/justice deal rejected by referendum In October 2016, Colombians narrowly rejected a peace deal between the government and the main guerrilla group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). With a voter turnout of less than 38%, the referendum outcome came as a surprise to many. Under the peace accord, reached in 2015 after four years of negotiations, a Special Jurisdiction for Peace was to be established to prosecute conflict-related grave crimes committed by all sides - including the taking of hostages, torture, forced displacement, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial executions, and sexual violence. A 75-point justice plan included extensive provision on victims’ participation and reparations. While explicitly excluding amnesty for war crimes and crimes against humanity, the agreement envisaged reduced and/or alternative sentences, such as house arrest, for perpetrators who confess to crimes and contribute to establishing truth. The level of justice for perpetrators of atrocities during the civil war was cited as one of the reasons for the no vote, among others. The issue of sentencing in the peace/justice deal proved contentious among civil society. The Colombian Commission of Jurists welcomed the deal. Colombian human rights group HUMANAS meanwhile called on “the men and women of this country to say ‘yes’ to peace,” when the agreement was put to popular referendum. Human Rights Watch said the agreement was flawed and could lead to impunity for those responsible for human rights abuses and war crimes. Amnesty International said it had serious doubts about whether the deal will effectively guarantee victims’ rights to truth, justice, and reparations in line with international law and standards.