Promoting reparations and peace in Colombia

Context

The Colombian Government and the guerilla organisation Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People’s Army (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo, FARC-EP) concluded a peace agreement in 2016. The population and the almost 10 million registered victims now have high expectations that the agreement will be better implemented. However, scepticism and disappointment have also been growing.

The Search Unit for Missing Persons has so far been able to identify only very few of the approximately 110,000 people who disappeared during the violent conflict in the country, and then ensure their dignified return to their relatives. The Special Jurisdiction for Peace has also analysed numerous reports from victims and perpetrators but has not yet handed down any verdicts. Increasing scepticism is being reinforced by the lack of a culture of peace and also by a rise in armed violence.

Objective

State and civil society actors in Colombia are improving the implementation of compensation, reparations and non-recurrence under the peace agreement – nationally as well as in the regions of Caquetá, Meta, Norte de Santander and Valle del Cauca.

Approach

The project has three fields of activity:

1. Developing and implementing measures, such as remembrance activities, that support reparations between victims, perpetrators and other parties involved. This includes training, advising and supporting state and civil society representatives.
2. Advising stakeholders on the search for missing persons to become more effective and efficient.
3. Promoting a culture of peace in four regions by implementing government and civil society initiatives that work to prevent violence and crime, especially against young people and women. For example, local film and music festivals are being supported.

Last update: February 2025