New York/The Hague/Colombia - PGA welcomes the outcome of the meeting held on 23 September 2015, in Havana, Cuba, between the Colombian Government, represented by the President of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos Calderon, and the Peace Delegation of the FARC-EP, represented by its commander-in-chief, Timoleón Jiménezin. This gathering represents a historic step toward peace in Colombia as both parties reaffirmed their commitment to the agreements reached to date and concluded on end-date to the conflict in March 2016, while recognizing that there will be no impunity for the most serious international crimes. This agreement on a justice mechanism was one of the last points to be discussed after the 3 first ones were reached in the previous months. Those were: "Towards a New Colombia Country: Complete Rural Reform", "Political participation: Democratic Opening for building peace" and "Solution to the Problem of Illegal Drugs".
Colombia manifested its commitment against impunity by rejecting amnesties for crimes against humanity, genocide and war crimes. A special tribunal is to be established to investigate and prosecute those crimes. The sentences will include inter alia prison sentences as well as alternative sentences that will be determined after hearing the perpetrators contribution to the truth and recognition of their responsibility. Since 2013, when PGA organized its 35th Annual Forum in support of the peace process in Colombia, PGA members have strongly affirmed that there can be no peace without justice and have thus been calling for accountability in the framework of the peace process. Victims of ‘both sides’ to the conflict were invited to address Parliament in the framework of the same Panel on the inalienable rights of victims under International Law, including the Rome Statute of the ICC to which Colombia is a Party.
This paramount development, which will contribute to fulfill victims rights for justice and redress but also to ensure the non-repetition of crimes committed, is vital for reconciliation as well as a stable and lasting peace.
PGA welcomes the leadership of its Members such as that of Sen. Ivan Cepeda, Rep. Angela Maria Robledo and former Rep. Guillermo Rivera in a peace process that underlines the vital role of parliamentarians in support of peace and security, which is the main topic of PGA’s Annual Forum this year in El Salvador.
PGA reiterates its compromise with the peace process in Colombia and stands ready to bolster the remaining efforts to end a war that has ruled the country for so many decades. In this regard, PGA urges the prompt establishment of this tribunal as well as all measures allowing for its efficiency and independence, such as the adoption of a clear definition of crimes against humanity in the national legislation.
The agreement on the specialized justice for peace, which is part of a comprehensive system, ensures that the rights of victims are not only a historic breakthrough for peace in Colombia but a precedent of utmost importance for the world. It is the embodiment of the principle that there has to be peace without impunity. Sen. Ivan Cepeda Castro (Colombia), PGA Member
This important development in the peace process in Colombia is also the result of constant commitment of the parties involved and the relentless efforts of PGA members in Colombia, who have been calling for justice and accountability for years. I sincerely congratulate them for the inclusion of a justice mechanism, which will ensure that there will be no impunity for the most serious international crimes, and welcome the final agreement that is to be signed within months. Sen. Alain Destexhe (Belgium), PGA Co-convener of the International Law & Human Rights Program
The PGA Campaign for the Universality and Effectiveness of the Rome Statute System of the ICC receives support from:
The Netherlands, Switzerland, Estonia, Liechtenstein and
PGA receives core support from Sweden and Denmark.