On 28th November 2023, Giulia Bordin, PCI Advocacy Officer, participated in the event titled “Preserving Life, Fulfilling the Accord” (Cuidar la Vida, Cumplir el Acuerdo) organised by the Colombian Embassy in Brussels. Signatories of the Peace Accord, representatives of the victims, and international partners of Colombia gathered, highlighting the progress in implementing the Peace Accord between the Colombian state and the FARC and commemorating the seventh anniversary of its signing.
Event attendees included Rodrigo Londoño Echeverri, leader of the Common Party –former FARC Commander; Sergio Jaramillo Caro, former High Commissioner for Peace, negotiators and signatories of the Accord; Francisco Coy, Vice Chancellor; Eamon Gilmore, European Union’s Special Envoy for Peace in Colombia; Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Special Rapporteur of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Colombia; Roberto Carlos Vidal, President of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace -JEP; Alejandra Miller, Director of the Agency for Reincorporation and Normalisation.
Representing civil society were Leyla Ordóñez, from the Collective of Colombian Migrants and Exiles, and Jaime Arias, governor of the Kankuamo Cabildo of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
During the event, a significant emphasis was placed on the recognition that this anniversary serves as a crucial moment to highlight and underscore the dedication of the international community towards the continuous and ongoing process of constructing a lasting and enduring peace in Colombia.
The exceptional nature of this Peace Accord persisting into its seventh year serves as a testament to the enduring commitment exhibited by all parties involved in this intricate and consequential effort. The recognition of this milestone further accentuates the dedication and collaborative efforts invested by diverse stakeholders, contributing to the sustainability of the Peace Accord.
Jaime Arias emphasised that the aspiration to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s reconciliation recognises the territory itself as a victim during the Accord’s implementation. In the pursuit of the Paz Integral, the inclusion of every voice, particularly those of victims and the territories they represent, is fundamental as well as establishing a system to guarantee non-repetition, complemented by restorative justice. However, acknowledging that root causes of violence, such as extractive industries and mining projects, persist, underscores the necessity of addressing these underlying issues for comprehensive and sustainable peace.
