"After decades of unrest, Colombians, especially the millions displaced, have longed for peace, pinning hopes on a negotiated settlement. Any disruptions in the peace process could jeopardize its chances of arriving at a positive outcome," he said in a statement.
Guterres called on both parties to move forward with negotiations, adding that he hoped that talks, which have been taking place in the Cuban capital Havana since 2012, will soon result in a peace accord.
"Protecting the civilian population from the consequences of conflict is critical to end the loss of human lives. I welcome the recent agreements that aim to establish a truth and justice commission, stop child recruitment and start demining activities in Colombia's Department of Antioquia," the statement noted.
Guterres said progress on key aspects of the negotiation agenda, the agreements reached so far and the participation of victims in the talks were significant achievements that could make the difference between war and peace.
"These steps represent hope and help alleviate the suffering of Colombian refugees and internally displaced people, enabling them to restart their lives in their places of origin, integrate with host communities, or safely relocate to other parts of the country," his statement added.
The High Commissioner said solutions needed to be found to guarantee the safety and dignity of refugees and people displaced inside Colombia and said he was confident the rights of these people would be taken account of in the dialogue.
Stressing that UNHCR remained ready to support the process and draw on its experience with similar peace deals in different parts of the world, he said he hoped the ongoing negotiations would soon lead to a historic opportunity for the country to overcome adversity.
"UNHCR stands by the people of Colombia in their quest to achieve a lasting peace," he concluded.
unhcr.org
11/6/15
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Related:
Colombian FARC rebels suspend unilateral cease-fire
At least one police officer was killed and two others injured in an attack by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrilla group, the National Police confirmed Sunday...
EEAS: Statement by the Spokesperson on the recent armed confrontations in Colombia ...
Member of Colombian rebel peace team killed in aerial bombing...
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Marxist rebels killed two Colombian police officers and a civilian in the country's southwest, the government said on Friday, as the guerrillas continue to increase attacks against infrastructure and the armed forces...
ReplyDeleteCoronel Alfredo Ruiz, traveling in a police vehicle in Narino, near the border with Ecuador, was shot after a roadside bomb was detonated near his car. A patrolman and a passing civilian also died.
"The coronel and the patrolman were killed by gunshots," General Rodolfo Palomino, director of the national police, said.
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, who have been in peace talks with the government for 30 months, have recently intensified their offensive after calling off a unilateral ceasefire.......reuters.com
The Colombian army says it has killed a top commander from the country's second largest guerrilla group, the National Liberation Army (ELN)...
ReplyDeleteThe commander, Jose Amin Hernandez Manrique, known as Marquitos, was killed in the north-western province of Antioquia, the army said.
He commanded 13 ELN units in Antioquia and Bolivar provinces, according to the military.
The region is known for drugs and arms trafficking and illegal mining.
The Colombian president, Juan Manuel Santos, said on Twitter: "Alias Marquitos, commander of the Dario Martinez front and member of the national leadership of the ELN, has been killed. Congratulations to the armed forces."
The ELN was founded in 1964 to fight Colombia's unequal distribution of land and riches. It is estimated to have about 2,000 active fighters.
The ELN has had exploratory talks but has not entered into peace negotiations with the government, unlike the country's largest left-wing rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).
The Farc and the government have been in peace talks in Havana for more than two years.
BBC
4 Colombian soldiers die after Black Hawk helicopter lands on FARC minefield ...
ReplyDeleteThe Colombian army reported Monday that four soldiers were killed, six injured, after the army's Black Hawk helicopter exploded upon landing on a minefield placed by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in the northeast.The Black Hawk EJC-2185 helicopter blasted after a landmine was activated by the FARC in a rural area of Teorama municipality, located in the Norte de Santander Department, the Colombian army said in an online statement.
The incident occurred on Monday afternoon, when the soldiers were traveling to Catatumbo municipality to strengthen offensive operations near the oil pipelines that were recently attacked by the FARC guerrillas.
The recent FARC attack against the Cano Limon-Covenas oil pipeline, the largest pipeline in the country, has polluted the Catatumbo River, the region's main tributary watercourse, and affected water service to more than 16,000 people in Tibu of Norte del Santander.
Despite the escalation of the conflict in recent weeks, the Colombian government and the FARC, the largest guerrilla force in Colombia, continue to seek a final peace agreement at the negotiating table in Havana, Cuba, to end 50 years of armed conflict.
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/928403.shtml
23/6/15
Colombian generals escaped punishment in civilian killings: rights group...
ReplyDeleteDozens of senior Colombian army officers implicated in the killing of 3,000 civilians falsely claimed to be rebels a decade ago have risen through the ranks and are escaping punishment for their roles in one of Latin America's worst atrocities, Human Rights Watch said Wednesday.
In a 95-page report titled "On their Watch," the rights group offers the most extensive look so far at the pattern of killings by the U.S.-backed armed forces and the legal proceedings against military personnel who tried to present civilians as guerrillas killed in combat to inflate body counts that led to promotions and bonuses.
While more than 800 soldiers have been convicted for such killings, most are low-ranking soldiers. No charges have been filed against a single officer heading a brigade or anyone else higher up the chain of command at the time of the killings between 2002 and 2008, at the peak of the military offensive against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia........AP.......ctvnews.ca
24/6/15