“After a long time of atrocity upon atrocity, these convictions symbolize a basic step within the battle towards impunity in Colombia and in fulfilling the rights of victims to fact and justice,” he mentioned.
The Particular Jurisdiction for Peace (SJP), established beneath the 2016 Peace Settlement between the Authorities and FARC rebels, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, issued the sentences primarily based on restorative justice on Tuesday.
Seven former FARC leaders have been convicted of warfare crimes and crimes towards humanity linked to greater than 20,000 kidnappings, torture, sexual violence and enforced disappearances.
The tribunal permits defendants to both deny their crimes or acknowledge them via a “recognition route.”
All seven selected the latter, committing to take part in restorative actions together with humanitarian demining, aiding within the seek for lacking individuals and contributing to memorialization tasks.
These measures purpose to amplify truth-telling, guarantee accountability, and supply redress to victims.
The “recognition route” additionally implies that as a substitute of serving custodial sentences in jail, they face restrictions on their motion.
Ball within the Authorities’s court docket
“It’s now as much as the Authorities to take motion so the authorized, budgetary, safety and administrative situations are in place to make sure that the following penalties are successfully enforced and that accountability is absolutely embedded within the system,” mentioned Mr. Türk.
UN Secretary-Common António Guterres additionally welcomed the rulings, noting that they symbolize a key step ahead.
In a assertion issued by his Spokesperson, the UN chief emphasised that the sentences must be absolutely applied and that Colombian authorities guarantee all situations are in place for compliance.
“The United Nations, together with via the UN Verification Mission [in the country], stays firmly dedicated to supporting Colombia in its pursuit of lasting peace, justice and reconciliation,” mentioned Stéphane Dujarric.
Landmark first step
The SJP rulings mark solely the primary stage of a broader accountability course of. Later this week, the court docket is anticipated to subject its first sentences for former members of the safety forces.
These rulings handle severe human rights violations, together with “murders and enforced disappearances of civilians by state brokers, falsely introduced as casualties ensuing from fight,” in response to the UN human rights workplace, OHCHR.
A protracted street forward
Whereas the convictions have been hailed as a milestone, UN officers warning that challenges stay.
Armed conflicts proceed to have an effect on components of the nation, and human rights violations – together with killings of rights defenders, baby recruitment by armed teams, and disproportionate impacts on minorities – stay a urgent concern.
“Implementing peace accords isn’t a easy or easy course of; it typically requires years of devoted effort,” Mr. Türk mentioned.
“These convictions spotlight the progress made, but in addition the significance of constant to prioritize the implementation of the 2016 Peace Accord to forestall additional violations and struggling.”
UN help
OHCHR supported the creation of the SJP and continues to offer technical help for its investigations, guaranteeing that victims’ rights and participation stay central to the justice course of.
