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REPORT ON THE SITUATION OF THE COLOMBIAN PEACE PROCESS
PRESENTED AT OAS

In a report presented today at the Organization of American States (OAS) on the Mission to Support the Peace Process in Colombia, the Assistant Secretary General of the hemispheric body, Ambassador Albert R. Ramdin, recognized the complex situation that the demobilization, disarmament and reintegration process of the members of the United Self-Defense Forces (AUC) is going through.

Providing an overview of the Ninth Quarterly Report of the OAS/MAPP to the Permanent Council, the Assistant Secretary General said that there is concern for the influence of paramilitary groups linked to drug trafficking, as well as the presence and activities of various illegal groups led by commanders of these forces who did not heed the government’s call to participate in the peace process.

The OAS/MAPP also expressed serious concern for the threats and assassinations of victims and their representatives in response of the implementation of the Justice and Peace Law recently passed by the Colombian Congress. This law offers a juridical framework for the demobilization of the different armed groups who hold peace talks with the government.

“The post-demobilization phase is a critical time,” the Assistant Secretary General told the Permanent Council that was chaired for the first time by Ambassador Deborah-Mae Lovell, from Antigua and Barbuda. He noted that the current dynamics “could trigger a truth and justice process that would put an end to paramilitary groups in the regions, and lead to reconstruction of the State. Or, on the other hand, it could accentuate the influence of paramilitary groups linked to drug trafficking.”

In addition, the Ninth Quarterly Report recognizes there have been positive steps forward in the peace process with the AUC specially on “the direct impact on reducing violence in large areas of country; the beginnings of government presence in the territories; the return of the communities that were expelled by the paramilitaries; and, reconstruction of the social fabric in villages and communities that were under the domination of irregular armed groups.”

To avoid this last situation, the report presented by Ramdin considers vital the strengthening of institutions and the reintegration process of the former combatants, as well as a decisive response by the Colombian government forces to the surge and expansion of illegally armed bodies.

In thanking the OAS for the support of the peace process in his country, Ambassador Camilo Ospina stressed the Colombian government’s concern of the danger that the reappearance of new illegally armed groups allied with drug trafficking implies, and the efforts by government forces to confront them in strategic areas. He explained the achievements of the Justice and Peace Law as a juridical element to protect the victims of violence and an effort to tackle drug trafficking.

Ambassador Ospina urged the international community to continue supporting the process to find peace in his country.

The OAS Mission to Support the Peace Process in Colombia receives collaboration from the governments of The Bahamas, Brazil, Chile, Canada, Colombia, Guatemala, The Netherlands, Ireland, Korea, Mexico, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Thailand and the United States.

Reference: E-172/07