Respaldo de las Fuerzas Políticas al Proceso de Paz, Comunicado No.21

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Country/entity: Colombia
Region: Americas
Agreement name: Respaldo de las Fuerzas Políticas al Proceso de Paz, Comunicado No.21
Date: 3 Aug 2000
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
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: Political parties, FARC-EP, High Commissioner for Peace
Third parties: -
Description: This is a communique stating the importance of support from the political parties and movements in the country for the peace process. It is about the discussions with political parties incl. exchange of proposals on ceasefire and end to hostilities and creation of a support group for the negotiation table with goal to keep political forces informed. This document is about the importance of various supports for the peace process such as the public audiences and now the support group. It is an active call to all Colombians to participate through the various mechanisms put in place. Furthermore the negotiation table recognises the fears and preoccupations of the political leaders and will analyse them in the hope that enthusiasm and patriotism will help overcome and construct a future for a social just Colombia.

Agreement document: CO_000803_RESPALDO DE LAS FUERZAS POL÷TICAS AL PROCESO DE PAZ COMUNICADO N21 - 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): No specific mention.
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 3, Public Declaration, Article 6,
The backing for the different participation mechanisms created by the National Roundtable for Dialogue and Negotiation to promote the participation of all Colombians in the peace process is ratified, such as the support group for the public audiences, email and freepost, leaflets and teleconferences. Similarly, Colombians are called on to use these mechanisms to actively participate in building peace with social justice.
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 3, Public Declaration, Article 5,
The leaders of the country’s various political forces also stressed that it is extremely important to make progress with commitments and agreements that allow respect for international humanitarian law and human rights.
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: No specific mention.
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, Public Declaration, Article 2,
The commitment to and support for the state policy for peace with social justice, promoted by the government and based on the political solution to the conflict, was ratified and we reiterated our support for the state policy in the direct fight against paramilitarism.

Page 2, Public Declaration, Article 4,
We agree that, in light of the social and economic situation facing the country, the importance of reaching specific agreements regarding the issues being studied by the National Roundtable for Dialogue and Negotiation, such as economic growth and employment, the analysis of proposals regarding the ceasefire and cessation of hostilities and the generation of peace results, which are desired by Colombians.

Page 3, Public Declaration, Article 6,
The backing for the different participation mechanisms created by the National Roundtable for Dialogue and Negotiation to promote the participation of all Colombians in the peace process is ratified, such as the support group for the public audiences, email and freepost, leaflets and teleconferences. Similarly, Colombians are called on to use these mechanisms to actively participate in building peace with social justice.

Page 3, Public Declaration, Article 9,
We agree that, in spite of the difficulties and problems, with a patriotic and enthusiastic attitude, we will be able to build a future based on the hope of a Colombia with peace and social justice.
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→Ceasefire provision
Page 1, Recitals,
...
• Proposals were exchanged to initiate talks on the ceasefire and cessation of hostilities. ...

Page 2, Public Declaration, Article 4,
We agree that, in light of the social and economic situation facing the country, the importance of reaching specific agreements regarding the issues being studied by the National Roundtable for Dialogue and Negotiation, such as economic growth and employment, the analysis of proposals regarding the ceasefire and cessation of hostilities and the generation of peace results, which are desired by Colombians.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: Page 2, Public Declaration, Article 2,
The commitment to and support for the state policy for peace with social justice, promoted by the government and based on the political solution to the conflict, was ratified and we reiterated our support for the state policy in the direct fight against paramilitarism.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
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: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: Page 1, Recitals,
• We agree that the negotiated political solution is the correct path for the reconciliation of the Colombian people and for resolving the conflict from which the country has suffered for over three decades. ..

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: 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. 204

BACKING OF THE PEACE PROCESS BY THE POLITICAL FORCES, COMMUNICATION NO.

Villa Nueva Colombia, 3 August 2000

At the invitation of the National Roundtable for Dialogue and Negotiation, and in compliance with the Agreement of Caquetania, dated 28 April 1999, Camilo Gómez Álzate, the High Commissioner for Peace, Horacio Serpa, of the Liberal Party, Noemí Sanín, of the Sí Colombia movement, Omar Yepes, of the Conservative Party, Jaime Caicedo, of the Communist Party, the presidents of the Senate and the House of Representatives, Mario Uribe and Basilio Villamizar, respectively, Manuel Marulanda Vélez, of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People’s Army (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia – Ejército Popular, FARC–EP), Alfonso Cano, of the Bolivarian Movement, and lván Márquez, of the secretariat of FARC–EP have met with the National Roundtable for Dialogue and Negotiation today, 3 August 2000, in Villa Nueva Colombia, the main venue for dialogue and negotiation, in Los Pozos, the municipality of San Vicente del Caguán.

After analysing the current situation and the development of the peace process, they issue the following communication.

RECITALS

We agree that the negotiated political solution is the correct path for the reconciliation of the Colombian people and for resolving the conflict from which the country has suffered for over three decades.

Progress has been made in the stages that have taken place in the current dialogue and negotiation process, such as the consolidation of trust between the parties, the definition of an agenda, the involvement of the international community, which has given its full backing to the process, the agreements on the methodology for the negotiations and the strengthening of public participation in the process through public audiences.

Proposals were exchanged to initiate talks on the ceasefire and cessation of hostilities.

Persevering and trying to overcome all obstacles and difficulties that arise along the way is decisive in any process of this nature.

In compliance with the political agreement dated 28 April 1999, signed in Caquetania, the support group for the National Roundtable for Dialogue and Negotiation was created to keep the political forces informed of the peace process.

PUBLIC DECLARATION

The support group for the National Roundtable for Dialogue and Negotiation began its work today and in the course of a number of hours saw a broad exchange of ideas regarding the progress of and difficulties in the peace process.

The exchange took place in a frank atmosphere and the various issues of the process and the current situation were discussed.

The commitment to and support for the state policy for peace with social justice, promoted by the government and based on the political solution to the conflict, was ratified and we reiterated our support for the state policy in the direct fight against paramilitarism.

New meetings of the support group and the Roundtable for Dialogue and Negotiation will take place periodically in the future to continue strengthening the peace process and consolidate the exchange of opinions and information on developments, progress, events and difficulties in the process, in addition to addressing relevant issues.

Similarly, the importance of inviting sectors other than those who signed the Caquetania political agreement to participate in the mechanisms created by the roundtable was emphasised.

We agree that, in light of the social and economic situation facing the country, the importance of reaching specific agreements regarding the issues being studied by the National Roundtable for Dialogue and Negotiation, such as economic growth and employment, the analysis of proposals regarding the ceasefire and cessation of hostilities and the generation of peace results, which are desired by Colombians.

The leaders of the country’s various political forces also stressed that it is extremely important to make progress with commitments and agreements that allow respect for international humanitarian law and human rights.

The backing for the different participation mechanisms created by the National Roundtable for Dialogue and Negotiation to promote the participation of all Colombians in the peace process is ratified, such as the support group for the public audiences, email and freepost, leaflets and teleconferences.

Similarly, Colombians are called on to use these mechanisms to actively participate in building peace with social justice.

The support for the agreements signed by the National Roundtable for Dialogue and Negotiation on the various issues in the search for solutions to the conflict was ratified.

The National Roundtable for Dialogue and Negotiation received the concerns expressed by the representatives of the various political forces and will begin to study them.

We agree that, in spite of the difficulties and problems, with a patriotic and enthusiastic attitude, we will be able to build a future based on the hope of a Colombia with peace and social justice.