Carlos Ruiz Massieu stated an upsurge in violence in some areas has highlighted challenges to reaching peace.
“In locations like Catatumbo, Cauca or Chocó, continued violence, insecurity, poverty and illicit economies underscore how essential it’s to proceed advancing within the implementation of the Peace Settlement and the transformations it gives for,” he said.
Mr. Massieu briefed ambassadors on the newest developments in Colombia, the place the 2016 peace deal between the Authorities and the FARC-EP armed group ended greater than 5 a long time of battle.
The re-integration of former FARC combatants stays a precedence, he stated. Greater than 12,000 have laid down their arms and the bulk are actively concerned within the reintegration course of.
Insecurity is a selected concern, nonetheless, as 23 ex-combatants have been killed this yr.
Violence impacts communities
Mr. Massieu stated that following the laying down of arms, areas underneath FARC affect “loved a interval of hope” and residents had been in a position to expertise among the dividends of peace akin to improved safety and investments akin to tourism.
“Sadly, in a few of these areas, the scenario has progressively deteriorated with the arrival of armed actors, new or present, making the most of the restricted presence of the state and searching for management of illicit economies,” he stated.
In consequence, communities are dealing with impacts akin to displacement, confinement, murders of social leaders and former combatants, in addition to a rise in little one recruitment.
“To handle these conditions, Colombia typically falls into the false dichotomy between peace insurance policies or safety insurance policies,” he stated.
“In present circumstances, it’s clear that bringing well-being to those territories requires complementarity between the 2.”
Challenges and accomplishments
Mr. Massieu additionally heads the UN mission that verifies the peace deal. He stated that whereas most of the provisions “have a major transformative potential,” some are longer-term and have but to be totally carried out, akin to complete rural reform.
Moreover, as “illicit economies are intertwined with battle in Colombia,” fixing this downside is important for consolidating peace.
The peace settlement additionally created an modern transitional justice system, prioritizing fact, restorative justice and reconciliation, he added.
He drew consideration to one of many predominant pillars – the Particular Jurisdiction for Peace – which “has made historic advances in its indictments of perpetrators of probably the most critical crimes through the battle.” Expectations at the moment are mounting for the issuance of the primary sentences.
“I welcome the measures introduced earlier this yr by the Jurisdiction to optimize investigations and expedite the issuance of restorative sentences,” he stated.
“I belief that the Authorities will step up its preparations to make sure that the circumstances underneath which the sentences can be carried out are firmly in place.”
Dialogue, cooperation and worldwide help
In concluding his remarks, Mr. Massieu recalled Colombia’s lengthy historical past of working to resolve armed conflicts via dialogue, with the 2016 peace settlement being the latest success.
“Wanting forward, it is going to be important to prioritize dialogue processes with actors who exhibit a real will for peace and who can obtain tangible outcomes to learn communities,” he stated.
He expressed hope that the Authorities will proceed to work with the opposite signatory social gathering to speed up implementation of the peace deal, and that the Security Council will proceed to help the nation.
