Comunicado Conjunto N. 18

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Country/entity: Colombia
Region: Americas
Agreement name: Comunicado Conjunto N. 18
Date: 4 Sep 2023
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: Implementation/renegotiation
Conflict nature: Government
Peace process: Colombia VI - Government-ELN post-2015 process
Parties: Government of Colombia,
the National Liberation Army (ELN)
Third parties: -
Description: Talks aimed at establishing peace between the Colombian government and the ELN militant group resumed on August 14, featuring a new focus on societal participation. Significant developments in this negotiation process include a six-month bilateral ceasefire across Colombia and the launch of the National Participation Committee on August 3, marking an unprecedented step in peacebuilding efforts. Future talks are scheduled to take place in Mexico, and a Monitoring and Verification Mechanism has been implemented as part of the ceasefire agreement to maintain open communication and avoid confrontations.

Agreement document: CO_230904_Joint Statement No. 18.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): CO_230904_Comunicado Conjunto N. 18.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: Groups→Racial/ethnic/national group→Rhetorical
Moreover, we provide an update on the following activities:
...
Progress was made by the MMV in crafting and endorsing the Normal Operating Procedure (PON), while also urging ethnic authorities, social organizations, and human rights groups to engage as social observers during the ceasefire period.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: Groups→Indigenous people→Rhetorical
Moreover, we provide an update on the following activities:
...
Progress was made by the MMV in crafting and endorsing the Normal Operating Procedure (PON), while also urging ethnic authorities, social organizations, and human rights groups to engage as social observers during the ceasefire period.
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: Moreover, we provide an update on the following activities:
...
These activities aim to foster a conducive environment for the local elections on October 29.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: Moreover, we provide an update on the following activities:
1.The design phase of society's participation in the peace process continues, with the consolidation of the National Participation Committee (CNP), through the formation of five commissions currently engaged in preparing 25 national and regional initiatives to construct the national participation plan.
The third plenary session of the CNP will take place on September 9 and 10, 2023.
...
Progress was made by the MMV in crafting and endorsing the Normal Operating Procedure (PON), while also urging ethnic authorities, social organizations, and human rights groups to engage as social observers during the ceasefire period.
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: The delegations from the Government of the Republic of Colombia and the National Liberation Army – ELN, announce that we have agreed:
FIRST CARACAS AGREEMENT A Political and Conceptual Framework delineating humanitarian actions and processes, outlining the principles and approaches aimed at ensuring the humanitarian objectives of the cessation are achieved.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: Human rights and equality→Civil and political rights→Humane treatment in detention
The delegations from the Government of the Republic of Colombia and the National Liberation Army – ELN, announce that we have agreed:
...
PARTIAL AGREEMENT Development of specialized protocols to attend political prisoners and individuals identified as ELN members, currently held in prisons and detention facilities across the country.
Colombian prisons and detention centres will be designated as critical zones for this purpose.
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: Rights related issues→Media and communication→Media roles
Moreover, we provide an update on the following activities:
...
3. We have agreed to formalize a letter of intent with the Colombian Public Media System (RTVC) SEÑAL COLOMBIA to broadcast updates on the peace process.
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: The delegations from the Government of the Republic of Colombia and the National Liberation Army – ELN, announce that we have agreed:
...
PARTIAL AGREEMENT Development of specialized protocols to attend political prisoners and individuals identified as ELN members, currently held in prisons and detention facilities across the country.
Colombian prisons and detention centres will be designated as critical zones for this purpose.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Socio-economic development
The delegations from the Government of the Republic of Colombia and the National Liberation Army – ELN, announce that we have agreed:
...
Declaration of Bajo Calima and San Juan as a critical zone and progression toward designating Bajo Cauca, north-eastern Antioquia, and the southern region of Bolivar as additional critical zones.
In these locations, there will be focal points for humanitarian initiatives, guarantees for compliance with the bilateral, national, and temporary ceasefire, community involvement in the peace process, and social development projects supported by the National Planning Department.
The Board will be attentive to community proposals to assess the designation of other critical areas.
Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Humanitarian assistance
The delegations from the Government of the Republic of Colombia and the National Liberation Army – ELN, announce that we have agreed:
FIRST CARACAS AGREEMENT A Political and Conceptual Framework delineating humanitarian actions and processes, outlining the principles and approaches aimed at ensuring the humanitarian objectives of the cessation are achieved.
...
Declaration of Bajo Calima and San Juan as a critical zone and progression toward designating Bajo Cauca, north-eastern Antioquia, and the southern region of Bolivar as additional critical zones.
In these locations, there will be focal points for humanitarian initiatives, guarantees for compliance with the bilateral, national, and temporary ceasefire, community involvement in the peace process, and social development projects supported by the National Planning Department.
The Board will be attentive to community proposals to assess the designation of other critical areas.
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
The delegations from the Government of the Republic of Colombia and the National Liberation Army – ELN, announce that we have agreed:
...
In these locations, there will be focal points for humanitarian initiatives, guarantees for compliance with the bilateral, national, and temporary ceasefire, community involvement in the peace process, and social development projects supported by the National Planning Department.
...
Moreover, we provide an update on the following activities:
...
2. The first monthly management report of the Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (MMV) for the Temporary National Bilateral Ceasefire (CFBNT) has been received, it emphasizes the establishment of its national body and seven regional units.
Progress was made by the MMV in crafting and endorsing the Normal Operating Procedure (PON), while also urging ethnic authorities, social organizations, and human rights groups to engage as social observers during the ceasefire period.
...
4. Over the next weeks, the delegations will travel to various regions to develop activities concerning the bilateral ceasefire, community involvement in the peace process, and the development of social education on all these matters.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: No specific mention.
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: 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: No specific mention.

PEACE DIALOGUE TABLE BETWEEN THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AND THE NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY-ELN

JOINT STATEMENT Nº 18

THE IV ROUND OF THE PEACE DIALOGUE TABLE CONCLUDES WITH THE “CARACAS AGREEMENTS”

The delegations from the Government of the Republic of Colombia and the National Liberation Army – ELN, announce that we have agreed:

FIRST CARACAS AGREEMENT A Political and Conceptual Framework delineating humanitarian actions and processes, outlining the principles and approaches aimed at ensuring the humanitarian objectives of the cessation are achieved.

SECOND CARACAS AGREEMENT Critical zones for humanitarian actions and dynamics.

Declaration of Bajo Calima and San Juan as a critical zone and progression toward designating Bajo Cauca, north-eastern Antioquia, and the southern region of Bolivar as additional critical zones.

In these locations, there will be focal points for humanitarian initiatives, guarantees for compliance with the bilateral, national, and temporary ceasefire, community involvement in the peace process, and social development projects supported by the National Planning Department.

The Board will be attentive to community proposals to assess the designation of other critical areas.

PARTIAL AGREEMENT Development of specialized protocols to attend political prisoners and individuals identified as ELN members, currently held in prisons and detention facilities across the country.

Colombian prisons and detention centres will be designated as critical zones for this purpose.

Moreover, we provide an update on the following activities:

1.The design phase of society's participation in the peace process continues, with the consolidation of the National Participation Committee (CNP), through the formation of five commissions currently engaged in preparing 25 national and regional initiatives to construct the national participation plan.

The third plenary session of the CNP will take place on September 9 and 10, 2023.

2. The first monthly management report of the Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (MMV) for the Temporary National Bilateral Ceasefire (CFBNT) has been received, it emphasizes the establishment of its national body and seven regional units.

Progress was made by the MMV in crafting and endorsing the Normal Operating Procedure (PON), while also urging ethnic authorities, social organizations, and human rights groups to engage as social observers during the ceasefire period.

3. We have agreed to formalize a letter of intent with the Colombian Public Media System (RTVC) SEÑAL COLOMBIA to broadcast updates on the peace process.

4. Over the next weeks, the delegations will travel to various regions to develop activities concerning the bilateral ceasefire, community involvement in the peace process, and the development of social education on all these matters.

These activities aim to foster a conducive environment for the local elections on October 29.

5. We thank the citizens and government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela for hosting the Peace Dialogue Table's proceedings in recent weeks.

Our appreciation extends to the guarantor nations, permanent observers, and the Group of Support and Accompaniment countries and Cooperation (GPAAC) for their presence and support.

Caracas, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, September 4, 2023.