Link: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/15/colombia-un-calls-for-better-protection-for-former-combatants
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) was formed in the 1960’s to rebel against the government and support poor communities. After 50 years of war, more than 200,000 deaths, and almost 6 million people displaced, the FARC signed a peace deal in 2016. They laid down their arms and became a leftist political party.
While the 2016 peace deal decreased violence, areas that suffered during the war still experience brutality; social leaders, human rights leaders and former combatants are being attacked and forced to relocate. On Wednesday, Carlos Ruiz Massieu, the U.N. representative for Colombia, called on the U.N. Security Council to improve protection for former combatants. A recent report by the U.N. Security General Antonio Guterres confirmed 19 killings of former combatants within a three month period (ending September 25.). Recently a high ranking official of the FARC was killed by one of the last remaining rebel groups in Colombia. Massieu described a backlog of pending requests for protection for former combatants. He explained the main priority of the Security Council should be increasing staff and resources.
It is important the FARC gains protection for their families, farms, and communities as a whole. Most former fighters became farmers after the 2016 peace treaty. New villages were built to help the fighters reintegrate after the war. However, if remaining rebel groups begin to target the new villages and farms, former FARC fighters and their families will be (and have been) forced to relocate, this creates more economic instability. It is especially critical that the Security Council increases protection for these communities due to the new, unique challenges COVID-19 will add to the already precarious situation.
If the Security Council does not help improve protection for former FARC fighters it may lead to lack of trust in the U.N.. Rebel groups around the world may be more reluctant to work with the organization if they believe they will not be protected. In the article, one of the former fighters explained he felt betrayed by the U.N.. It is critical that the U.N. displays it is capable of helping rebel groups create peace treaties and successfully transitioning post-war. Potential peace talks are at risk if the FARC continues to be vulnerable to violence.