JEP condemns murder of peace signatory Gerardo Moreno in Planadas, Tolima
The Special Jurisdiction for Peace rejected the killing of former combatant Gerardo Moreno, which occurred on 15 September in a rural area of Planadas, Tolima.
Peace tribunal demands investigation following death of signatory in Tolima
The Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) of Colombia categorically rejected the murder of Gerardo Moreno Santana, a claimant and signatory to the Peace Agreement, according to telesurtv.net. The crime took place on 15 September in a rural area of the municipality of Planadas, in the department of Tolima.
Moreno Santana had belonged to the Joint Command of the dissolved Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People's Army (FARC-EP) and was fulfilling his commitments before the Restorative Transitional Justice system within the framework of Case 10.
Impact on victims and judicial proceedings
The tribunal warned that these events directly affect the families and communities of Peace Agreement signatories, placing at risk those who contribute, since their reincorporation, to truth, memory and reconciliation.
The institution further stressed that the death of claimants violates the rights of victims to truth and reparation, hindering the progress of ongoing judicial proceedings.
Urgent call to Colombian authorities
The JEP issued an urgent call to Colombian authorities to investigate the incident, sanction those responsible for the crime and strengthen protection schemes designed for peace signatories.
According to figures from the Ombudsman's Office, nearly 500 signatories to the Peace Agreement have been murdered since 2016. So far this year, the entity has confirmed the murder of five of these individuals.
Context of the Peace Agreement
The Peace Agreement between the Government of Colombia and the FARC-EP is the result of negotiations carried out between 2011 and 2016, with the participation of victims, civil society and members of the armed forces. The talks took place mainly in Havana, Cuba, which acted as guarantor of the process.
The accord sought to rebuild the social fabric and guarantee victims their rights to truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-repetition. The Peace Agreement record comprises three components: the final text of the agreement—of which there are two versions, the initial and the definitive—the minutes of the negotiating sessions and proposals submitted by citizens and various organisations during 2016.
Source: Google News CO — Crime