Professor Michael Cox, director of IDEAS at the London School of Economics introduced on May 12th Mr Sergio Jaramillo Caro, key negotiator in the Colombian Peace Process between the Government and the FARC guerrillas taking place in Havana, to an audience of students, academics and civil society representatives – not least a number of veterans from the Northern Ireland Peace Process, as well as the Organisation of Colombian students at the LSE.
Jaramillo spoke of the ins and outs of Peace building introducing the subject with a number of questions: Peace and democracy, how do they relate? A process of transition to what? The legitimacy of a democracy in discussions with guerrillas: is there a better option? E.g., Obama talking to Iran, Santos (the Colombian President) to Farc.
He responded that yes, such processes are justified both for Economic reasons and to preserve life. Colombia has one of the largest numbers of people dead as a result of this conflict, as well as millions displaced and victims of all kinds of violence including, prominently, sexual violence.
It is the case of a transition not only out of the past but also into the future for the improvement of democracy.
He then went on to expand on five principles he considers all important to carry out this process to a good conclusion:
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Termination.
Ending the conflict. Ending the violence to promote political ideas. The need for this has already been agreed. Breaking the historical cycle of violence, preventing its repetition.
2. Inclusion.
Integration of all parties in the infrastructure, e.g., through rural development. Bridging the gaps in rural development. The creation of local virtual circles, e.g., with property rights. There have been discussions with Brazilian counterparts about how they did it. Drug policy: the inclusion of coca growers in alternative developments. Communities have been disenfranchised. There is a need to establish transitional electoral districts to elect people to the Congress in Bogota.
3. Participation.
Political organisations have to be created for a Political system more responsive to change, include young people: A commitment to make it easy to create political parties, promote direct citizen participation, strengthening political rights, self respect as a function of people as active agents of change, participatory planning in the regions and in national programmes, territorial peace or how to deliver goods to marginal regions. This in general has been agreed with Farc. It’s the only guarantee of lasting peace.
4. Acknowledgement.
One thing is knowing, a different one is to acknowledge. Santos is doing it. He wants Farc to do it too: Truth seeking justice and reparations to the victims, in conferences with the participation of the victims. A Truth Commission to acknowledge the victims. Everyone has this responsibility. This is the only way to re-established trust: Social responsibility, tolerance demands mutual acceptance.
5. Consent.
Territorial peace, a Consensus on rules and norms has to emerge from a wide debate. At some point a national referendum should take place to renew the social contract.
Q.& A. Session
Q: Time frame? What happens after Santos?
A: Guarantees into the future depend on a mixture of things. First to get going. And create political support for a referendum. The importance of a budget, Taxes for implementation is a massive challenge. Farc has signed up to detaching itself from the Drugs trade.
Q: People making lots of money with the drugs. How would that work?
A: Disentangle drugs form security. Drugs agencies use a public health approach. Coca growers have been involved in some successful programmes.
Q: Final agreement will be followed by more negotiations?
A: The established framework has to be fulfilled. Signed agreements must end the conflict: a Ceasefire. This should end the negotiations.
Q: Other groups apart from Farc in participatory planning?
A: Security is a big issue. Armed groups can disrupt the agreement. Rural development programmes have the possibility to succeed. The Armed forces and the police are to provide security.
Q: For some it sounds like hollow promises, with violence increasing in Buenaventura after the start of negotiations
A: Poverty, crime, drugs: this is ambitious programme. Certain regions have been marked as high priority precisely because of their situation.
Q: Spoilers in the process?
A: Create a win-win situation for all.
Q: The ICC contribution
A: for now not doing anything too relevant. It is not possible to prosecute crimes committed over 50 yrs. Nobody has done it before via the ICC.
Q: the issue of Child recruitment
A: Paying attention to the issue. De-mining has been agreed. Working with NGOs centred on child soldiers and with the UN.
Q: Non combat crime and illegal weapons
A: Issue of laying down weapons is central. Create opportunities through development.
Q: Farc says they don’t have money for reparations. But they are lying
A: Confusion in public about what’s going on. The discourse is different in the private discussions.
Q: What will Farc be doing afterwards?
A: Reintegration so people can move on: Politics and other things.
Q: Role of the Army
A: Defence policy: Transitional security during the process
Q: What is being planned for Education
A: New model for rural areas: Peace, Tolerance.
Q: Women’s issues: Sexual violence as well as the Protection of Indian leaders
A: A Gender commission working with experts from Europe and Colombia. Women’s organisations will play a strong role post-conflict.
Q: What will be done about Coca?
A: Consideration about change in the Legal status as done during negotiations with Sendero Luminoso in Peru and now in Bolivia. Alternative developments cannot be enforced if it is legal. Opening of a window, short time, 2 yrs for communities to come to national programmes.
Q: What is being done in terms of Communications?
A: What is emphasised? Make sure that the Young are as informed as possible, plenty of discussion in social networks.
One of the questions, which was rather a statement, however humorously presented, from a veteran form the Northern Ireland Peace Process was that 20 years after its “success” communities remain as divided as ever. This is an issue of great interest for Pressenza as a medium committed to promoting reconciliation as part of the methodology of Active Nonviolence. Whilst all efforts to create ceasefires and the end to any kind of armed conflict are to be applauded (loudly), it is often left out the need to provide long suffering communities with the tools for the type of deep reconciliation that can only stem from personal reflexion and communication. Then several generations may pass before the conflict loses strength in the hearts of the people
