By Richard McColl
BOGOTA, Colombia
Representatives at peace talks in Havana between Colombia and guerrilla fighters announced Thursday the creation of the format to produce a truth commission in Colombia once a peace agreement has been signed.
News of The Commission for Clarifying the Truth, for Coexistence and for guarantees of No Repetition came via the Cuban and Norwegian delegates as the 37th round of dialogues between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) came to a close.
President Juan Manuel Santos said on Twitter that announcement was “an important step” and added that from here it is necessary, “to continue advancing on the other points,” of the agenda that has been in discussion in Cuba between the two sides since talks began in November 2012.
The commission which is to be impartially and independently produced will focus on three key areas: clarifying what has taken place during the Colombian conflict, promoting and contributing to the recognition of the victims of the conflict in particular where human rights have been abused and the promotion of coexistence across Colombian territory. There will be studies on the social impacts of the conflict and an exploration of the complexities of the conflict that has, since 1963, caused the deaths of an estimated 220,000 victims and displaced more than 5 million others.
While the news has been met favourably, the head of the FARC’s negotiating team in Havana, Ivan Marquez, expressed a paradox saying in a press conference on Thursday that “while those who determine the violence demand jail sentences and more jail sentences, all the humble victims ask for is reconciliation, reparation and non-repetition.”
A vocal opponent to the peace dialogues, Sen. Alfredo Rangel of the Center Democratic Party said via Twitter, “A truth commission in the middle of this terrorism? It’s absurd. No one will denounce the FARC for fear of being assassinated.”
While agreements have been reached on the issues of political participation, agrarian reform and illicit drugs, the two sides have been locked in long-running discussions regarding the tricky subject of justice and the rights of the victims.
Former Sen. Piedad Cordoba, who was instrumental in aiding the exploratory talks between the guerrillas and the government, and in negotiating the release of several high-profile hostages, believes the announcement of the creation of a truth commission is positive.
“The truth is fundamental in every reconciliation process,” and the creation of the commission, “is a step towards peace,” she said on Twitter.
