Colombia’s peace tribunal charges former FARC commanders over crimes against Indigenous peoples
Colombia’s peace tribunal charged 10 former FARC commanders over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity affecting five Indigenous peoples. Its decision addresses attacks on community autonomy and harm during hostilities in the Amazon and Orinoco regions. The charges concern named former leaders and form part of the peace agreement’s process for determining responsibility.
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Charges concern former guerrilla commanders
Colombia’s Special Jurisdiction for Peace, known as the JEP, charged former commanders of the former FARC guerrilla organization over crimes against Indigenous peoples. The transitional justice tribunal’s decision concerns the former guerrilla organization’s leadership.[1], [2]
The 13 October decision names 10 former members of the Southern and Eastern blocs and alleges war crimes and crimes against humanity. It concerns the Nükak Baká, Korebajü or Koreguaje, Siona or Zio Bain, Hitnü and Jiw peoples in Colombia’s Amazon and Orinoco regions.[1]
The tribunal identifies attacks on Indigenous autonomy
The Recognition Chamber grouped allegations into two main patterns. The first pattern addresses attacks on Indigenous self-government, autonomy, culture and efforts to defend rights. The chamber said former guerrillas viewed some community leaders, traditional healers, teachers and authorities as obstacles to their strategic interests. It grouped 96 criminal acts within the patterns examined in the decision.[1]
Hostilities restricted movement and damaged rivers
The second pattern concerns harm during hostilities. The tribunal described landmines and improvised explosive devices restricting hunting, fishing and movement, alongside attacks on oil infrastructure that polluted rivers and Indigenous living environments. Former final-secretariat members are among those called on to acknowledge responsibility. The charges form part of the peace agreement’s process for determining individual responsibility.[1]
