Latest threat to Colombia’s peace process: murders, a kidnapping, delays and, of course, politics

  • FA (Fabio) Diaz Pabon

Press/Media: Expert commentPopular

Description

A United Nations employee working on a coca-substitution project in Colombia was kidnapped earlier this week by a dissident FARC faction, just prior to a UN Security Council visit to show support for the country’s peace deal.

This is only the latest violent mishap to endanger the fragile end of Colombia’s civil conflict. According to the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights, already this year 41 activists have been murdered in Colombia. If assassinations continue at this pace, it will mark a significant uptick in activist killings since accords with the FARC guerrillas were signed late last year.

The November 2016 agreement between the FARC and the Colombian government has brought the promise of peace for the country and compelled an overall significant reduction in FARC-related violence.

But the FARC agreement has not implied a reduction in the military actions of other groups, such as the EPL, the ELN or right-wing warlords (known in Colombia as paramilitaries). At least 80 human rights activists were assassinated in 2016, and some sources report more than 125. The trend this year is worsening.

Period13 Mar 2017

Media contributions

1

Media contributions

  • TitleLatest threat to Colombia’s peace process: murders, a kidnapping, delays and, of course, politics
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletThe Conversation
    Media typeWeb
    Duration/Length/Size1000 words
    Country/TerritoryUnited States
    Date13/03/17
    DescriptionA United Nations employee working on a coca-substitution project in Colombia was kidnapped earlier this week by a dissident FARC faction, just prior to a UN Security Council visit to show support for the country’s peace deal.

    This is only the latest violent mishap to endanger the fragile end of Colombia’s civil conflict. According to the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights, already this year 41 activists have been murdered in Colombia. If assassinations continue at this pace, it will mark a significant uptick in activist killings since accords with the FARC guerrillas were signed late last year.

    The November 2016 agreement between the FARC and the Colombian government has brought the promise of peace for the country and compelled an overall significant reduction in FARC-related violence.

    But the FARC agreement has not implied a reduction in the military actions of other groups, such as the EPL, the ELN or right-wing warlords (known in Colombia as paramilitaries). At least 80 human rights activists were assassinated in 2016, and some sources report more than 125. The trend this year is worsening.
    Producer/AuthorFabio Andres Diaz
    URLhttps://theconversation.com/latest-threat-to-colombias-peace-process-murders-a-kidnapping-delays-and-of-course-politics-73895
    PersonsFA (Fabio) Diaz Pabon