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visita de Kofi Annan a Colombia, rueda de prensa en las oficinas de Naciones Unidas en Colombia

ICTJ and Kofi Annan Foundation on Peace Processes

ICTJ and Kofi Annan Foundation Convene Discussion in Bogota on Truth Commissions and Peace Processes 


 

On February 25, 2015, the International Center for Transitional Justice and the Kofi Annan Foundation will host a conference in Bogotá, titled “Truth Commissions and Peace Processes: International Experiences and Challenges for Colombia.”

The day-long conference will gather major political figures and international and national experts to reflect on lessons learned from truth commissions that have emerged from peace processes around the world and how they may enrich the discussion in Colombia.

Participants will include Mr. Juan Manuel Santos, President of Colombia; Mr. Kofi Annan, Chair of the Kofi Annan Foundation; and Mr. David Tolbert, President of the International Center for Transitional Justice.

“I look forward to sharing our experiences drawn from peace processes and truth seeking initiatives while at the same time learning about Colombia’s own efforts and challenges in this field,” said Mr. Annan. “We hope that international experiences will be helpful to Colombians as they embark on such an important public discussion.”

As peace talks advance between the Government of Colombia and the FARC guerilla group, an essential element of negotiations is how best to examine the truth about violence and abuses committed during the armed conflict. The creation of a truth commission is now being discussed in Havana.

The search for truth about the conflict concerns Colombian society as a whole, and the conference will provide space for Colombians from different perspectives to discuss ideas, expectations and questions about the country’s truth-seeking efforts.

“The truth commission would be at the center of a broader truth-seeking process in Colombia that could focus on issues that have not been adequately addressed yet,” said Mr. Tolbert. “One such issue is the need to establish the responsibilities of institutions, state or otherwise, in connection with serious human rights violations.”

He added, “Even if it is impossible to uncover the truth about each and every violation, the acknowledgment of the suffering of victims is an essential and fundamental contribution that a truth commission can make towards lasting peace.”

According to a report published last year by ICTJ and KAF, “Challenging the Conventional: Can Truth Commissions Strengthen Peace Processes,” the mandates of truth commissions have expanded in recent years to cover a growing list of functions and violations.

“It’s a balancing act,” said Tolbert. “In order to be legitimate, the mandate should reflect the real demands of Colombians, but at the same time it must be realistic and accomplished within a reasonable amount of time.”

This conference is part of a joint effort by the International Center for Transitional Justice and the Kofi Annan Foundation to promote and facilitate dialogue on the experiences and lessons learned from truth commissions that have emerged from peace processes. Their joint 2014 report exploring these issues is available in English; a Spanish edition will be launched at the conference.

The conference is organized with the support of the Norwegian Embassy in Colombia and Revista Semana. ICTJ’s work in Colombia is also supported by the Government of Sweden.

A live stream in Spanish will be available at www.ictj.org/es. Live blogging in English will be available at http://colombia-kaf.ictj.org/
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CONTACTS

Marta Martinez, Communications Associate, International Center for Transitional Justice

+1 917 637 3824 / mmartinez@ictj.org

Bijan Farnoudi, Communications Officer/Spokesperson, Kofi Annan Foundation

+41 22 919 7532 / farnoudi@kofiannanfoundation.org

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About the International Center for Transitional Justice

The International Center for Transitional Justice assists societies confronting massive human rights abuses to promote accountability, pursue truth, provide reparations, and build trustworthy institutions. For more information, visit www.ictj.org


 

About the Kofi Annan Foundation

The Kofi Annan Foundation aims to promote better global governance and strengthen the capacities of people and countries to achieve a fairer, more secure world. To advance this mission the Kofi Annan Foundation has developed programs and partnerships in Sustainable Development and Peace and Security. For more information, visit www.kofiannanfoundation.org