The Colombian State fails to keep its promises as Peace Deal staggers on

The Colombian State fails to keep its promises as Peace Deal staggers on 

Justice for Colombia (JFC), a British NGO established by the trade union movement 18 years ago, is continuing to support all those working in the South American Republic for peace. In 2016 an agreement between the state and FARC armed rebels ended five decades of conflict in which over 200,000 people were killed. 

JFC was key to the Peace Deal seeing it as part of a path towards social advance and greater equality. Major problems have arisen due to President Ivan Duque’s government failure to invest in civli society or provide security for its citizens. Rural land that was earmarked for redistribution to communities has yet to be formalised. In turn this has caused problems reincorporating former FARC combatants. 

With a permanent peace remaining elusive, JFC has sought to bring international pressure to bear for action and has organised a series of Peace Monitor delegations that have included representatives of UNITE, a major supporter of JFC’s work.

The fourth delegation, twelve-strong, visited Colombia in February. It included some MPs and Gerry Murphy, President of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. Delegates met with Colombian Congress members from several opposition parties and the FARC, trade unions, human rights and civil society leaders. They also visited communities in Bajo Atrato, North Choco affected by paramilitaries who appear to operate with apparent impunity. 

On the ground, developments were worrying. During the six day visit, two rural trade unionists from Fensuagro, Unite’s sister union, were murdered. Over the decades more than 1,500 Fensuagro members have been slaughtered, mainly by paramilitary groups.

The killings are continuing. On 19 March, Marco Rivadeneira,  President of the Peasant Association of Puerto Asis was abducted from a meeting and killed. He was coordinating programmes between local communities and authorities involving coca crop substitution and which 100,000 heroic families have voluntarily responded to. 

On the same day, social leader Ángel Ovidio Quintero was found dead after he and his nephew were attacked by unknown assailants. Ángel was president of his local community council and of an association of miners. Several paramilitary and armed groups are known to be active in the region where he was killed. There is also news that 180 former FARC combatants have been killed since the signing of the Peace Deal. 

The delegation reported “this is crisis of extreme magnitude…..requiring….full implementation of the peace agreement…..we give our full support to the transitional justice mechanisms created…it is essential that the Colombian government takes maximum advantage of those opportunities.” 

Unite will continue to give full support for the activities of JFC and we urge members in branches that are not already affiliated to the organisation to get backing for its important work. JFC has speakers for branch meetings.  Contact JFC at https://justiceforcolombia.org