United Nations published this video item, entitled “‘Violence remains the most serious threat to peacebuilding in Colombia’ – Security Council Briefing” – below is their description.
Head of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia Carlos Ruiz Massieu told Security Council today “2021 is year five of the 15-year timeframe ambition for the implementation of the entirety of the peace agreement. It is incumbent to ensure 2021 is remembered as the year in which bold steps are taking to bring into fruition the full promise of sustainable peace enshrined in the agreement.”
Addressing the Council via a video link today (21 Jan), Massieu urged both parties in Colombia and “all Colombian actors to work together to protect the achievement reached so far and to accelerate momentum on pending issues especially the five priorities outlined in the Secretary-General’s report.”
The chief of the mission also said, “violence against former combatants, social leader, human rights defenders and communities remains the most serious threat to peacebuilding in Colombia.”
Massieu explained, “while multiple measures have been taken to try to address this violence, every killing is a tragic blow to peace, and a call to ensure the security measures undertaken by authorities translate into effective improvements in the territories.”
He also stated that “victims and Colombian society in general will be looking with great expectation this year at the comprehensive system for truce, justice, reparation and non-repetition with the first sentences set to be issued by the special jurisdiction for peace.”
Massieu added, “the continued work by the Truce Commission in supporting reconciliation efforts and advancing in final report and sustain progress by the special unit for the search for persons deemed as missing.”
Also addressing the Council via a video link was Colombian Minister for Foreign Affairs Claudia Blum de Barberi. The Foreign Minister said, “our greatest challenge remains security in the communities, the safety and security for the social leaders and human rights defenders and former combatants.”
De Barberi continued, “the international community knows that the agreement was signed between two parties in 2016, in the midst of other sources of ongoing violence. Illegal armed groups which remain throughout certain areas of the territory and others which have a reason, all of them through involved in drug trafficking and other illicit economic activities are a threat to the security of the Colombians.”
United Nations YouTube Channel
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