Joint Declaration of Colombian Social and Non-Governmental Organizations before the 62 UN Commission on Human Rights

Abstract

In 2005 impunity ran rampant; in particular, thousands of grave violations committed by paramilitary groups went unpunished. Based on Prosecutor General’s Office information, at least 11,200 paramilitary (99% of the «demobilized persons») have been left in liberty without being investigated or tried, using the argument that there are no open criminal proceedings against them, even if they have committed grave violations - only 55 paramilitary (1%) had proceedings against them - . The law of «justice and peace», applied residually to this 1%, does not meet the necessary requirements to guarantee truth, justice, and reparation nor does it demand that «demobilized persons» confess or make any reparation, as a condition for receiving benefits under that law.