Colombia peace tribunal charges ex-FARC members with anti-Indigenous crimes
Summary
Colombia’s Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) has charged 10 former FARC fighters with war crimes, including torture and forced displacement, against Indigenous peoples between 1996 and 2016. The tribunal is part of Colombia’s ongoing efforts to address crimes from the country’s long civil conflict, which ended in a 2016 peace deal with the FARC.Key Facts
- The JEP charged 10 ex-FARC members with war crimes and crimes against humanity against five Indigenous groups.
- Crimes include torture, murder, forced displacement, planting landmines, and damaging ecosystems.
- The conflict lasted over 50 years and involved left-wing rebels, government forces, paramilitary groups, and criminal gangs.
- Over 450,000 people were killed and more than 120,000 disappeared between 1985 and 2018 due to the conflict.
- Some former FARC members involved in crimes were given political roles after the 2016 peace deal.
- The tribunal can impose non-prison penalties, such as reparations and community service.
- Critics worry about budget cuts to the JEP under Colombia’s new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, which could affect its work.
- Indigenous leaders praised the tribunal’s recognition of attacks against their cultures and communities.
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