28th September, 2015
The World Council of Churches has welcomed an announcement from the Colombian Government and the FARC revolutionary force which puts in place a framework for ending 50 years of conflict within the South American nation.
The "breakthrough" deal, which will be finalised within the next six months with an official deadline of 23rd March next year, was announced by Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and Rodrigo Londono, head of FARC, in Havana, Cuba, on 23rd September after almost three years of talks.
Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, welcomed the agreement as a "sign of hope" not only for the people of Colombia but the entire world. Congratulating the leaders for their "commitment to clear the path for a final peace agreement", Rev Dr Tveit also praised them for news the agreement would address human rights abuses that have occurred during the fighting.
"They have agreed to form a truth commission, to provide for reparations for war victims, and to offer amnesty for combatants except those who committed war crimes," he said.
Rev Dr Tveit, who met with the Colombian President in early September during a visit to the country, affirmed that churches within the country were committed to contributing to the peace process.
Rev Gloria Ulloa, WCC president for Latin America and the Caribbean, said the announcement was good news for all who had been working for peace. "The agreement affirms the importance to implement a model of justice that enables building of long-lasting peace that puts the rights of the victims as a priority."
The Unit for Attention and Reparation of Victims, established by the Colombian Government, estimates around 220,000 people have been killed in the violence. Millions more have been displaced.
– DAVID ADAMS
