Colombia Peace Deal: FARC, Government Reach Agreement on Thousands of Disappeared
The Colombian government has come to an agreement regarding the more than 50,000 people who are estimated to still be missing due to over 50 years of conflict between the nation and the Marxist group FARC.
As the BBC reports, both FARC and the Colombian government have agreed to work together in a specialized unit aimed at recovering the remains of those killed from unmarked mass graves. Boths sides will also concentrate on locating those missing that might still be alive. The International Committee of the Red Cross will add their help to the search for the disappeared.
The fate of the thousands of disappeared was a core issue in peace negotiations which, since 2012, have been taking place in Havana.
In September, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos shook hands with FARC leader, Rodrigo Londono, and each side formally agreed upon a deadline of six months for a peace agreement to be signed.
As the Guardian reports, President Manuel Santos noted the deep considerations expressed by both sides, saying the agreement was “probably something that has never been achieved in any peace negotiations.”
FARC announced a halt to their military training on Oct. 1.
As previously reported the Unites States announced, through their Colombian ambassador, that they will let the South American country decide how to deal with members of Farc that have commited crimes. Ambassador Kevin Whitaker said the U.S. would not be calling for the extradition of Farc rebels, as has happened in the past. "If you want to see that as the U.S.'s contribution to the peace process, you're welcome to do so," he added.
As reported by Al Jazerra, outside of the number of disappeared, the war between FARC and Colombia has resulted in the deaths of around 220,000 people.
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