January 14, 2020

Andrew Campbell 

As Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Colombia and Head of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, Carlos Ruiz Massieu addressed to the Security Council on January 13 briefing about the peace process in Colombia. Mr. Massieu urged the Colombia government should take proper action to achieve peace by keeping “the brave voices of social leaders” listened to.

In November 2016, the National Government of Colombia and the FARC-EP guerrillas signed the historic UN-backed peace agreement, the Agreement for the Termination of the Conflict and the Construction of a Stable and Lasting Peace (SIVJRNR), to end the battle conflict since 1963. 

In his speech, Mr. Massieu applauded the SIVJRNR that guaranteed the rights of victims to truth, justice, reparation and non-repetition. He pointed out that thousands of former combatants, despite difficulties and security risks, started to forge new lives through the opportunities provided by the Peace Agreement in Colombia. In addition, he hailed the regional elections in October of 2019 which demonstrated the positive impact of the peace process on Colombian democracy, a sign of greater participation and improved security.

According to Indepaz, a peace-building NGO in Bogota, until now this year17 social leaders and human rights defenders have been killed. The Colombian Ombudsman's Office also reported that so far more than 560 social leaders have sacrificed their life since the signing of the peace agreement.

The UN envoy pointed out serious challenges in keeping security for conflict-affected communities and warned that the pervasive violence continues to threaten the consolidation of peace as Colombia is in desperate need of peace policy.

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