IACHR

Press Release

IACHR Reaffirms its Support for the Peace Process in Colombia and Is Monitoring Compliance with Inter-American Standards

December 1, 2016

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Washington, D.C. - The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) welcomes the signing and approval of the new “Final Agreement for the Termination of the Conflict and the Construction of a Stable and Lasting Peace” reached on November 12, 2016, between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia–People’s Army (FARC-EP).

The Inter-American Commission recognizes the State’s efforts to renegotiate the peace agreement in consideration of the real pluralism that is necessary in a democratic society. The Commission welcomes the fact that, having considered the proposals put forth by the groups that had objected to the previous agreement and had called on citizens to vote against it in the October 2 referendum, Colombia has reached a new agreement to end the conflict with the FARC-EP.

On November 18, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) approved by acclamation a resolution entitled “Support for the Peace Process and the Termination of the Armed Conflict in Colombia.” Following that meeting, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos met with the President of the IACHR, Commissioner James Cavallaro, and presented him with a copy of the agreement.

During the meeting, President Santos and President Cavallaro discussed the peace process, the current fragility of the ceasefire, and the future implementation of the peace agreement in Colombia. The IACHR President told President Santos that the IACHR will continue monitoring to ensure that the agreement is implemented in a way that respects and upholds inter-American human rights standards.

“The Commission maintains its conviction that the consolidation of peace is an essential requirement for the exercise and observance of human rights,” President Cavallaro said. “The IACHR continues to be committed to the search for peace in Colombia and willing to collaborate in this effort, and in that context, it will follow the implementation of the new agreement, within the scope of its functions.”

After the agreement was presented to the IACHR, there were changes to the wording of the text. The IACHR Rapporteur for Colombia, Commissioner José de Jesús Orozco stressed that “the Inter-American Commission will continue to follow the human rights situation in Colombia so that the effective implementation of the peace agreement may meet international standards for truth, justice, and reparation in the context of the transition to peace.”

A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 178/16