Columns & Blogs

One of the issues that has generated most debate in international legal circles is whether the justice and accountability component of the Colombian peace accord contradicts the State’s duties in terms of international criminal law.

Two important current events are a good example of transparency during the peace process negotiations: the return of recruited minors and the opening to the press of the FARC's X conference.

It is important to insist that although prosecutions against high level officials are by definition “political” and are carried out against politicians, they must guarantee the due process.

Those of us that support the Yes vote in the peace accord plebiscite should carefully listen to those who are going to vote No so we can initiative a dialogue during this campaign than can bring benefits beyond October 2nd. 

In the town of Turbo, Antioquia several peasants are victims of attacks by non-identified persons, which is generating displacements. 

A recurrent criticism by those who oppose the peace accords is that it would result in peace with impunity given that there would be no jail time for those responsible of crimes against humanity such as kidnappings, forced disappearances, murders, massacres, or rapes, which are technically known as international crimes. 

When the debate was entering the basic question - do we want a reasonable agreement or an irrational war? - it turned again towards the judicial forms, the question about the question of the plebiscite. 

On October 2nd, I will vote YES with the joy that the end of war makes me feel and the hope to build a conuntry based on agreement, dissent, and dialogue. 

The Integral Rural Reform proposed in the peace accords reiterates the State's commitment since the 1991 Constitution. 

While traveling to Brazil, I felt why the Olympics are splendid. However, I confirmed how humanity has not been able to generate any advances in the protection of human rights during the construction of this mega-events.

The paradox about the plebiscite is that the decision over our war, which has been essentially rural, will probably depend on the urban vote, which is the majority.

August 24th, 2016 will forever remain in our generation's mind. The emotion was widespread, whether it was of joy and delight or of profound outrage. But no one will ever be the same after that announcement.