Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Colombian Senate approves the Special Jurisdiction for Peace


The plenary of the Colombian Senate on March 13th approved by an ample majority (61:2) the reform of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), manifesting their support for the peace agreement signed between the government of President Santos and the FARC in Havana, Cuba.  The JEP will be in force for a maximum of 15 years. As of now, the JEP begins to function and the competence of the Committee of Choice is activated which has the task of designating the magistrates who will form part of the chambers and sections of this Jurisdiction for Peace, of the Unit of Investigation and Accusation and of the Executive Secretariat of the tribunals that were created in the Havana agreements.

This legislation creates the necessary tools to judge the actors of the armed conflict.  It proposes punishments of up to 20 years imprisonment for those who do not recognize their responsibility.  It allows civilians to present themselves to the tribunal on a voluntary basis should they consider that they have any responsibility in the conflict.  It establishes special and differentiated treatment for the members of the police andulic armed forces.

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