HUMAN RIGHTS CENTRAL TO COLOMBIA'S PEACE PROCESS, UN OFFICIAL STRESSES DURING VISIT

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From: UNNews <UNNews@un.org>
Date: 20 Jul 2013 15:00:01 -0400
Subject: HUMAN RIGHTS CENTRAL TO COLOMBIA'S PEACE PROCESS, UN OFFICIAL
STRESSES DURING VISIT
To: news11@ny-mail-p-lb-028.ptc.un.org

HUMAN RIGHTS CENTRAL TO COLOMBIA'S PEACE PROCESS, UN OFFICIAL STRESSES
DURING VISITNew York, Jul 20 2013 3:00PMRespect for human rights will
be critical as Colombia transitions from conflict to peace, a top
United Nations official stressed, noting in particular that the rights
of victims must be at the centre of the Government's negotiations with
rebel groups.

"It will not be easy to create a society that respects each other's
rights after years of conflict," High Commissioner for Human Rights
Navi Pillay said yesterday at a news conference in the capital,
Bogotá, at the end of her mission.

The Government estimates that 600,000 people have died since the
conflict between the country's authorities and the Revolutionary Armed
Forces of Colombia (FARC) began in the 1960s. Recently, the two sides
have been engaged in negotiations on various issues in an effort to
put an end to the long-running conflict.

"Today, I am visiting a Colombia that still faces many human rights
challenges, but is beginning to look to the future with optimism,"
said Ms. Pillay, who last visited the country five years ago.

This week she met with President Juan Manuel Santos, who reaffirmed
his commitment to transform the human rights situation and to achieve
peace, as well as other senior Government officials and
representatives of civil society, human rights defenders, victims, the
Church and the private sector.

"It was clear, from my discussion with the President and several
high-level officials, that they understood that human rights
obligations are central to the peace process. I stressed that the
rights of the victims need to be at the centre of the peace
negotiation with the FARC and I hope soon with the ELN," she said,
referring to another armed group, the National Liberation Army.

Ms. Pillay stressed that the goal is to achieve both peace and justice
so all Colombians stand to benefit from the peace process.

"Regardless of the status of the perpetrators, either State forces,
guerrillas, paramilitary or post-paramilitary groups, crimes related
to human rights violations cannot be subject to amnesties or impunity.
This is not only Colombia's international obligation -- it is what the
people of Colombia deserve."

The High Commissioner recalled that restorative justice and other
mechanisms of transitional justice have brought peace in many
countries. This means there are stronger guarantees that violations
are not repeated; that there are efforts to restore the rights of
victims and transform their lives for the better; and truth is
revealed and reparations are granted to victims.

"It won't be easy," she stated. "A peace accord is only the first
phase. What really matters is how the peace accords are implemented;
how violations will stop and not be repeated; how peace will improve
the rights to political participation, health and education; and how
it will reduce the poverty and extreme poverty. This is why the human
rights must be at the centre of the peace process."

She commended the peace process and the programmes put together by Mr.
Santos which are aimed at providing reparations and restoring the
rights of some five million victims. While there will be many
difficulties in implementing such an "ambitious" plan, she stressed
that reparation is fundamental to a sustainable peace based on the
respect of the rights of the victims.

Land restitution is key, she added, given the number of people who
were forced off their land during the armed conflict.

She also highlighted the need to ensure that everyone has an
opportunity to make their voice heard in the peace discussions on
issues that directly affect them; to urgently address the "huge
disparities" in economic, social and cultural rights; and to ensure
that there is no impunity for rights violations committed during the
conflict.

Ms. Pillay's four-day mission also included a visit to the state of
Cauca, where she met representatives of indigenous peoples,
Afro-Colombian communities and small farmers' groups, as well as local
government officials. She voiced concern about reports of civilian
casualties, of people being killed or injured by landmines, and
displaced by violence in the region, where both Government military
forces and FARC members have been present.

She lauded the work and courage of the human rights defenders whom she
met during the visit. "Defenders in Colombia often work under pressure
and at great risk. They are a fundamental pillar of democracy, as they
are the voice of victims and remind the State of its obligations," she
noted.
Jul 20 2013 3:00PM
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