Summary:
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Carlos Ruiz Massieu praised recent government initiatives on rural reform and greater equality in line with the 2016 Peace Agreement between the government and the FARC EP armed organization, which ended five decades of civil war.
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The UN representative spoke out against the attempted murder of Ms. Marquez, who was present at the meeting the day before.
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Violence continues to exist.
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He was sad that violence against indigenous communities, social activists, and former FARC EP members continues more than six years after the peace deal was signed.
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A first round of peace negotiations between the government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) was completed in Venezuela last month. A second session will take place in Mexico in the coming weeks.
Carlos Ruiz Massieu praised the government’s recent steps toward rural reform and more equality. These steps align with the 2016 Peace Agreement between the government and the FARC-EP, which ended 50 years of civil war.
After the Council passed Resolution 2673 unanimously, Mr. Massieu said, “The Council’s decision today to authorize the Mission’s mandate to be expanded to include the Agreement’s comprehensive rural reform and the ethnic chapter in its verification tasks will allow the Mission to contribute more to peace in Colombia.”
The Ethnic Chapter was made so that indigenous and oppressed groups could have a voice and be in charge of making peace.
Addressing significant inequality
Gustavo Petro, the country’s new president, assumed office in August.
A law set up by the Ministry of Equality was passed last week. It is run by Vice President Francia Marquez, who is the first Afro-Colombian woman to hold that position.
Mr. Massieu said that the new group’s goal is to fix the big problems faced by women, indigenous people, and Afro-Colombians.
By helping to bridge social gaps in Colombian society, it “could be a major tool for promoting the peace deal’s goals,” he said.
The UN representative spoke out against the attempted murder of Ms. Marquez, who was present at the meeting the day before.
He, like the secretary, praised the government for agreeing to buy land for rural areas and give more money to agriculture. General’s
“Rural reform is moving to the forefront of efforts to establish a more peaceful and prosperous Colombia,” Mr. Massieu says.
“This year is also crucial for moving through unfinished legislation to carry out the Peace Agreement.” “Congress members from all parties and victims’ advocates will all have important roles to play,” he said.
Assisting ex-combatants
Rebuilding a stable and long-lasting peace in Colombia will depend a lot on how well the reintegration process goes. The head of the mission pointed out other positive signs, like the fact that the basic national income will be paid until June 30.
Because of the action, thousands of former soldiers can get a basic monthly stipend.
Even though there are many challenges and risks, Mr. Massieu said that men and women who want to go back to civilian life should be able to get help.
Violence continues to exist.
He was sad that violence against indigenous communities, social activists, and former FARC EP members continues more than six years after the peace deal was signed.
He emphasized the need for coordinated execution of the agreement’s security assurance provisions.
Total peace strategy
According to a second report by Mr. Massieu, the Colombian government is still talking to illegal armed groups as part of its “total peace” policy, even though the agreement is still being implemented.
A first round of peace negotiations between the government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) was completed in Venezuela last month. A second session will take place in Mexico in the coming weeks.
“The parties’ decision to start talking again is supported by most of Colombian society, especially by people who have been affected by violence in many places,” the official said.
The UN Secretary-General agreed to the request of both sides that the envoy “permanently accompany” the negotiations.
