Acuerdo de Conformación del Frente Común por la Paz y Contra la Violencia

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Country/entity: Colombia
Region: Americas
Agreement name: Acuerdo de Conformación del Frente Común por la Paz y Contra la Violencia
Date: 22 Nov 2000
Agreement status: Unilateral document
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate conflict
Colombian Conflict (1964 - )
The Colombian conflict is really a set of conflicts and the peace agreements reflect both different processes relating to different conflict groups and dyads, and processes taking place at different times in a complex peace process history. The Colombian civil war has its roots in the late 1940s and the violent infighting between liberal and the conservative factions. Emerging from the liberal tradition with a thorough grounding in nationalist communist ideology, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia—People's Army (FARC) began its armed insurrection against the Colombian government in 1964. Other left-wing guerrillas emerged as well, most notably the socialist/populist M-19, which would later be integrated into the formal political system in the peace process of 1990s; the National Liberation Army (ELN), which has strong roots in liberation theology, and the Maoist Ejército Popular de Liberación (EPL) (also part of the 1990 process, less successfully). Several stages of peace processes were undertaken by the various sides, which were further complicated by the emergence of right-wing paramilitary ‘self-defence’ forces. The peace agreement between the Colombian government under President Uribe and the main alliance of the paramilitary groups, the United Self-Defence Forces of Colombia (AUC), concluded in 2005 and is still heavily disputed as several remnants are still active, but now subsumed under the heading ‘Bacrim’ (Bandas criminales). In addition, FARC and ELN maintain a military presence, but both demonstrate a strong interest in completing successful peace negotiations with the government, with the most recent agreements being between FARC and the Government.
Stage: Pre-negotiation/process
Conflict nature: Government
Peace process: Colombia III - Arango
Parties: President of the Republic, President of Congress, Political parties
Third parties: /
Description: This document constitued a unilateral 'agreement' between parties on one side of the conflict, notably President, Congress and Politial Parties. It records the decision to establish common front for peace and against violence. It includes affirmations that dialogue is the only way forward, calls to reach out and include FARC and initiate talks with ELN, but also the fight against auto defence groups, it affirms the fight against drug-trade, asks all groups to join and calls on the international community to help and do their bit. It is signed by the president, president of the congress and the political parties. It is part of a broader process with FARC.

Agreement document: CO_001122_ACUERDO DE CONFORMACION DEL FRENTE COMUN POR LA PAZ - tr.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: No specific mention.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: No specific mention.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): Page 3, Article 9,
We maintain the unalterable Colombian tradition of a sovereign and democratic foreign policy based on consensus, in line with the country’s fundamental interests and ready to defend itself against any threat to national unity. As such, we make it known to the community of nations that the problems currently affecting the country must be resolved by Colombians, while requesting the solidarity, respect and cooperation befitting the current circumstances.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: Page 1, Article 1,
We ratify our commitment to the negotiated political solution to the armed conflict. Dialogue is the correct method for dealing with differences and peacefully resolving social conflicts, while violence and armed conflict are the biggest obstacle to the country making progress. We are willing to work and participate in dialogue to ensure the peace process is not just a government policy but a genuine, autonomous national state policy, in which all political forces and civil society are represented.

Pages 1-2, Article 3,
We agree that this invitation must go beyond political forces and as such we back active communication between the government and the National Peace Council, which by law constitutes a broad representation of civil society and also connects with the various branches of public power, in order to consolidate a common position for the country as a whole.

Page 2, Article 4,
We regard an agreement on human rights and international humanitarian law that excludes civil society from the armed conflict as urgent. In this respect we condemn kidnappings, massacres, forced disappearance, extortion, murders outside combat and, armed protests, the use of universally prohibited arms and the destruction of public and private wealth. Peace requires the defence and promotion of freedom as a supreme right of human dignity. We condemn all illegal actions that seek to restrict it, and it is the duty of citizens to show solidarity in demanding it be respected.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: Page 2, Article 4,
We regard an agreement on human rights and international humanitarian law that excludes civil society from the armed conflict as urgent. In this respect we condemn kidnappings, massacres, forced disappearance, extortion, murders outside combat and, armed protests, the use of universally prohibited arms and the destruction of public and private wealth. Peace requires the defence and promotion of freedom as a supreme right of human dignity. We condemn all illegal actions that seek to restrict it, and it is the duty of citizens to show solidarity in demanding it be respected.

Page 3, Article 8,
We believe in the need to increasingly strengthen the armed forces in the service of democracy, respecting human rights and international humanitarian law and exercising their authority in line with the constitutional mandate to defend sovereignty and citizen security. We understand that this is necessary to restore the solid concentration of force and arms to the state. We firmly believe that this concentration will only be solid and long-lasting by achieving peace.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: Page 1, Article 2,
We condemn the use of violence as a tool for political struggle, which, moreover, has become obsolete in the world. In contrast, we demand a culture of peace based on democratic and citizen security, which practices the principles of tolerance and peaceful methods for resolving the conflicts that inevitably occur within society.

Page 3, Article 9,
We maintain the unalterable Colombian tradition of a sovereign and democratic foreign policy based on consensus, in line with the country’s fundamental interests and ready to defend itself against any threat to national unity. As such, we make it known to the community of nations that the problems currently affecting the country must be resolved by Colombians, while requesting the solidarity, respect and cooperation befitting the current circumstances.

Page 3, Article 11,
The future without misery and violence must be built by all, sticking firmly to agreements and ensuring national unity, democracy and the participative spirit of the national constitution.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: No specific mention.
Mobility/access: No specific mention.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Socio-economic development
Page 2, Article 5,
We believe the time has come to settle negotiations with FARC to avoid protracted dialogue without specific outcomes or results and to ensure that Colombian society sees that the process is making progress, restoring trust. If it is necessary to extend the demilitarised zone, the specific legal requirements must be met, ensuring that it is possible to negotiate calmly and peacefully without a risk to the parties. As such, we urge FARC to immediately restart negotiations on the substantial issues related to the mechanisms to ensure the continuity, seriousness and success of the process, and to reach specific agreements on employment and economic policy, initiate dialogue on political agreements and debate the proposals for ceasefire and the cessation of hostilities, the fight against drug trafficking, the substitution of crops and the release of soldiers, police and all those who have been victims of kidnapping.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→General commitments
Page 2, Article 5,
We believe the time has come to settle negotiations with FARC to avoid protracted dialogue without specific outcomes or results and to ensure that Colombian society sees that the process is making progress, restoring trust. If it is necessary to extend the demilitarised zone, the specific legal requirements must be met, ensuring that it is possible to negotiate calmly and peacefully without a risk to the parties. As such, we urge FARC to immediately restart negotiations on the substantial issues related to the mechanisms to ensure the continuity, seriousness and success of the process, and to reach specific agreements on employment and economic policy, initiate dialogue on political agreements and debate the proposals for ceasefire and the cessation of hostilities, the fight against drug trafficking, the substitution of crops and the release of soldiers, police and all those who have been victims of kidnapping.
Police: Page 2, Article 5,
We believe the time has come to settle negotiations with FARC to avoid protracted dialogue without specific outcomes or results and to ensure that Colombian society sees that the process is making progress, restoring trust. If it is necessary to extend the demilitarised zone, the specific legal requirements must be met, ensuring that it is possible to negotiate calmly and peacefully without a risk to the parties. As such, we urge FARC to immediately restart negotiations on the substantial issues related to the mechanisms to ensure the continuity, seriousness and success of the process, and to reach specific agreements on employment and economic policy, initiate dialogue on political agreements and debate the proposals for ceasefire and the cessation of hostilities, the fight against drug trafficking, the substitution of crops and the release of soldiers, police and all those who have been victims of kidnapping.
Armed forces: Page 2, Article 5,
We believe the time has come to settle negotiations with FARC to avoid protracted dialogue without specific outcomes or results and to ensure that Colombian society sees that the process is making progress, restoring trust. If it is necessary to extend the demilitarised zone, the specific legal requirements must be met, ensuring that it is possible to negotiate calmly and peacefully without a risk to the parties. As such, we urge FARC to immediately restart negotiations on the substantial issues related to the mechanisms to ensure the continuity, seriousness and success of the process, and to reach specific agreements on employment and economic policy, initiate dialogue on political agreements and debate the proposals for ceasefire and the cessation of hostilities, the fight against drug trafficking, the substitution of crops and the release of soldiers, police and all those who have been victims of kidnapping.

Page 3, Article 8,
We believe in the need to increasingly strengthen the armed forces in the service of democracy, respecting human rights and international humanitarian law and exercising their authority in line with the constitutional mandate to defend sovereignty and citizen security. We understand that this is necessary to restore the solid concentration of force and arms to the state. We firmly believe that this concentration will only be solid and long-lasting by achieving peace.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: Page 2, Article 5,
We believe the time has come to settle negotiations with FARC to avoid protracted dialogue without specific outcomes or results and to ensure that Colombian society sees that the process is making progress, restoring trust. If it is necessary to extend the demilitarised zone, the specific legal requirements must be met, ensuring that it is possible to negotiate calmly and peacefully without a risk to the parties. As such, we urge FARC to immediately restart negotiations on the substantial issues related to the mechanisms to ensure the continuity, seriousness and success of the process, and to reach specific agreements on employment and economic policy, initiate dialogue on political agreements and debate the proposals for ceasefire and the cessation of hostilities, the fight against drug trafficking, the substitution of crops and the release of soldiers, police and all those who have been victims of kidnapping.

Page 2, Article 7,
We ratify our conviction in the fight against self-defence groups and emphatically reject the actions of these groups that contribute to deterioration of the armed conflict. We also ratify the commitments made in the agreements signed with FARC in Caquetania and Los Pozos and urge the government to strengthen the decisive fight by all state institutions against this manifestation of violence.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: Page 2, Article 5,
We believe the time has come to settle negotiations with FARC to avoid protracted dialogue without specific outcomes or results and to ensure that Colombian society sees that the process is making progress, restoring trust. If it is necessary to extend the demilitarised zone, the specific legal requirements must be met, ensuring that it is possible to negotiate calmly and peacefully without a risk to the parties. As such, we urge FARC to immediately restart negotiations on the substantial issues related to the mechanisms to ensure the continuity, seriousness and success of the process, and to reach specific agreements on employment and economic policy, initiate dialogue on political agreements and debate the proposals for ceasefire and the cessation of hostilities, the fight against drug trafficking, the substitution of crops and the release of soldiers, police and all those who have been victims of kidnapping.

Page 2, Article 6,
We back the swift initiation of talks with ELN and issue a firm called to overcome difficulties in establishing a meeting zone for talks, with clear regulations and verification mechanisms. We are grateful for the active participation of the Group of Friendly Countries, an example of how much international support means to the peace process, in addition to the initial commitment to contribute to the substitution of illicit crops.

Page 3, Article 10,
We are committed to the strategy against the global drugs problem. The incidence of drug trafficking on the Colombian population makes it one of the biggest stimuli for violence and corruption. This policy must be universally applied to the whole production chain and requires an equivalent commitment by the international community against chemical precursors, asset laundering and consumption. It is also necessary to forcibly eradicate cultivation for profit, without compensation and without affecting the environment while systematically replacing small plantations as part of the implementation of alternative development projects. We call on the insurgency to work together on these proposals. We are also convinced that peace is the most efficient mechanism to achieve results in these areas. On this point, Antonio Navarro expressed his opinion that the fumigation of illicit crops should be permanently abolished.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: Page 2, Article 5,
We believe the time has come to settle negotiations with FARC to avoid protracted dialogue without specific outcomes or results and to ensure that Colombian society sees that the process is making progress, restoring trust. If it is necessary to extend the demilitarised zone, the specific legal requirements must be met, ensuring that it is possible to negotiate calmly and peacefully without a risk to the parties. As such, we urge FARC to immediately restart negotiations on the substantial issues related to the mechanisms to ensure the continuity, seriousness and success of the process, and to reach specific agreements on employment and economic policy, initiate dialogue on political agreements and debate the proposals for ceasefire and the cessation of hostilities, the fight against drug trafficking, the substitution of crops and the release of soldiers, police and all those who have been victims of kidnapping.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: Page 2, Article 5,
We believe the time has come to settle negotiations with FARC to avoid protracted dialogue without specific outcomes or results and to ensure that Colombian society sees that the process is making progress, restoring trust. If it is necessary to extend the demilitarised zone, the specific legal requirements must be met, ensuring that it is possible to negotiate calmly and peacefully without a risk to the parties. As such, we urge FARC to immediately restart negotiations on the substantial issues related to the mechanisms to ensure the continuity, seriousness and success of the process, and to reach specific agreements on employment and economic policy, initiate dialogue on political agreements and debate the proposals for ceasefire and the cessation of hostilities, the fight against drug trafficking, the substitution of crops and the release of soldiers, police and all those who have been victims of kidnapping.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: Diálogo, negociación y ruptura con las FARC-EP y con el ELN, Biblioteca de la Paz – 1998-2000, Fundación Cultura Democrática, Ed. Álvaro Villarraga Sarmiento, Bogotá D.C., 2009 (book V) p. 154

AGREEMENT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COMMON FRONT FOR PEACE AND AGAINST VIOLENCE

Bogota, Capital District, 22 November 2000

Convened by the President of the Republic, in his constitutional role as a symbol of national unity, the signatories to this agreement, after carefully analysing the situation of violence from which the country is suffering and the current situation of the peace process, have decided to establish a Common Front for Peace and against Violence.

During our talks, we have found issues and perspectives that bring us together, to which we will direct our joint efforts, always in the best interests of Colombia.

To allow this common front to make an effective contribution to the operative aspect of peace, it will hold periodic meetings to analyse the process.

Our commitment is not only peace in general, but the specific demands this entails.

In this respect, we have agreed the following points.

We ratify our commitment to the negotiated political solution to the armed conflict.

Dialogue is the correct method for dealing with differences and peacefully resolving social conflicts, while violence and armed conflict are the biggest obstacle to the country making progress.

We are willing to work and participate in dialogue to ensure the peace process is not just a government policy but a genuine, autonomous national state policy, in which all political forces and civil society are represented.

We condemn the use of violence as a tool for political struggle, which, moreover, has become obsolete in the world.

In contrast, we demand a culture of peace based on democratic and citizen security, which practices the principles of tolerance and peaceful methods for resolving the conflicts that inevitably occur within society.

We agree that this invitation must go beyond political forces and as such we back active communication between the government and the National Peace Council, which by law constitutes a broad representation of civil society and also connects with the various branches of public power, in order to consolidate a common position for the country as a whole.

We regard an agreement on human rights and international humanitarian law that excludes civil society from the armed conflict as urgent.

In this respect we condemn kidnappings, massacres, forced disappearance, extortion, murders outside combat and, armed protests, the use of universally prohibited arms and the destruction of public and private wealth.

Peace requires the defence and promotion of freedom as a supreme right of human dignity.

We condemn all illegal actions that seek to restrict it, and it is the duty of citizens to show solidarity in demanding it be respected.

We believe the time has come to settle negotiations with FARC to avoid protracted dialogue without specific outcomes or results and to ensure that Colombian society sees that the process is making progress, restoring trust.

If it is necessary to extend the demilitarised zone, the specific legal requirements must be met, ensuring that it is possible to negotiate calmly and peacefully without a risk to the parties.

As such, we urge FARC to immediately restart negotiations on the substantial issues related to the mechanisms to ensure the continuity, seriousness and success of the process, and to reach specific agreements on employment and economic policy, initiate dialogue on political agreements and debate the proposals for ceasefire and the cessation of hostilities, the fight against drug trafficking, the substitution of crops and the release of soldiers, police and all those who have been victims of kidnapping.

We back the swift initiation of talks with ELN and issue a firm called to overcome difficulties in establishing a meeting zone for talks, with clear regulations and verification mechanisms.

We are grateful for the active participation of the Group of Friendly Countries, an example of how much international support means to the peace process, in addition to the initial commitment to contribute to the substitution of illicit crops.

We ratify our conviction in the fight against self-defence groups and emphatically reject the actions of these groups that contribute to deterioration of the armed conflict.

We also ratify the commitments made in the agreements signed with FARC in Caquetania and Los Pozos and urge the government to strengthen the decisive fight by all state institutions against this manifestation of violence.

We believe in the need to increasingly strengthen the armed forces in the service of democracy, respecting human rights and international humanitarian law and exercising their authority in line with the constitutional mandate to defend sovereignty and citizen security.

We understand that this is necessary to restore the solid concentration of force and arms to the state.

We firmly believe that this concentration will only be solid and long-lasting by achieving peace.

We maintain the unalterable Colombian tradition of a sovereign and democratic foreign policy based on consensus, in line with the country’s fundamental interests and ready to defend itself against any threat to national unity.

As such, we make it known to the community of nations that the problems currently affecting the country must be resolved by Colombians, while requesting the solidarity, respect and cooperation befitting the current circumstances.

We are committed to the strategy against the global drugs problem.

The incidence of drug trafficking on the Colombian population makes it one of the biggest stimuli for violence and corruption.

This policy must be universally applied to the whole production chain and requires an equivalent commitment by the international community against chemical precursors, asset laundering and consumption.

It is also necessary to forcibly eradicate cultivation for profit, without compensation and without affecting the environment while systematically replacing small plantations as part of the implementation of alternative development projects.

We call on the insurgency to work together on these proposals.

We are also convinced that peace is the most efficient mechanism to achieve results in these areas.

On this point, Antonio Navarro expressed his opinion that the fumigation of illicit crops should be permanently abolished.

The future without misery and violence must be built by all, sticking firmly to agreements and ensuring national unity, democracy and the participative spirit of the national constitution.

ANDRÉS PASTRANA ARANGO, President of the Republic

MARI URIBE ESCOBAR, President of Congress

HORACIO SERPA URIBE, CIRO RAMÍREZ PINZÓN LUIS FERNANDO ALARCÓN M., ANTONIO NAVARRO WOLFF, SAMUEL MORENO ROJAS, LUIS GUILLERMO GIRALDO H., Leaders of the political parties