Protect Human Rights in Colombia Amnesty International is deeply concerned that the recently passed law governing the demobilization of armed groups in Colombia is wholly inadequate. It threatens to guarantee the impunity of those responsible for heinous and widespread human rights atrocities, not only paramilitaries, but also those who have backed the paramilitary such as wealthy landowners, and government and military officials. The demobilization law may not rid the country of the scourge of illegal armed activity and human rights abuses against the civilian population. In fact, it may make the situation worse by: · Providing de facto amnesties for paramilitaries and guerrillas responsible for serious human rights abuses and violations; · Perpetuating impunity for human rights abusers and violators thereby undermining the rule of law in Colombia; · Failing to guarantee the effective dismantling of paramilitary structures by focusing solely on individual combatants; · Failing to expose those Colombian security forces, government officials, and private citizens who have supported and benefited from the activities of the paramilitary; · Failing to establish a full and independent judicial process to oversee the demobilization process; · Neglecting to respect the rights of victims of human rights violations and abuses to truth, justice and reparation. Review of Key Provisions The following is a review of some of the law's key provisions and an explanation of its fatal flaws that will almost certainly guarantee impunity and undermine the rule of law in Colombia. |