Statement by the Republic of Slovenia at the UNSC briefing on the Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia

Thank you, Mr. President.

I wish to thank Special Representative Ruiz Massieu for his briefing.

I would also like to welcome President Petro and Mr. Tovar to the meeting.

Your presence, president Petro, reassures us of your country’s commitment to implementing the Final Peace Agreement and achieving comprehensive, inclusive, just and sustainable peace.

Mr. President,

A clear message from this morning’s Peacebuilding Commission meeting on Colombia is that the international community recognizes the Final Peace Agreement as a model approach for peacebuilding.

Peace processes are always fragile and Colombia needs strong support of the international community. At the same time, Colombia can be an  important example of the fact that even the most complex and demanding issues that go to the very roots of society, can be agreed to be solved. That arms can be laid down. Cease fire can hold.

We commend the Colombian government and state entities for their ongoing endeavours toward achieving agreement’s comprehensive implementation.

In particular, we are happy to see further progress in implementing the comprehensive rural reform, a fundamental aspect of the agreement.

However, as noted in the SG’s report, resolute action and a highly coordinated, comprehensive responses are still required.

To this end, we encourage all sectors in Colombia to collaborate in working on the policies and plans for the full implementation of various chapters of the agreement and transform them into concrete outcomes.

One area requiring such actions is the transitional justice process, which includes the responsibility to uphold the rights of victims and achieve reconciliation. We value the important advances made by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace.

In anticipation of the first restorative sentences, further constructive dialogue among all concerned parties is paramount to overcome obstacles concerning the work of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace.

While upholding its autonomy, we encourage the Colombian government to extend necessary support to the SJP. It is essential that everybody who participated in the conflict contribute to the truth, acknowledge their responsibilities and are able to do so safely. Again, the ultimate objective are the commitment to the victims and avoidance of reoccurrence.

At the same time, we remind the SJP of its unique responsibility to deliver justice promptly and with the legal certainty.

Mr. President,

Strengthening the integrated presence of the state and transitioning national territory in the rural areas is crucial not only for the full implementation of the agreement but also for resolving Colombia’s ongoing armed conflicts.

Recent events in Miravalle serve as a stark reminder that armed conflicts, acts of violence, and internal displacement continue to disproportionally affect populations in certain regions of the country, particularly children, women, social leaders, human rights defenders, Indigenous, and Afro-Colombian communities.

We call for an immediate cessation of all violence, including all forms of sexual and gender-based violence, against the civilian population, as well as the recruitment and use of children by armed actors.

Furthermore, full respect for international humanitarian law and international human rights law must be upheld at all times, and promoted in dialogues  with armed groups.

These dialogues, and the resulting ceasefires, must be accompanied by security guarantee measures to safeguard communities, especially in those rural areas disproportionally affected by both conflicts and development gaps.

Mr. President,

Environmental peacebuilding can contribute to expedite recovery among communities marginalized and disempowered by violence.

To this end, we encourage the Colombian government to continue leveraging environmental and climate actions in an inclusive and participatory manner to enhance post-conflict reconstruction, community reintegration, and trust building among local communities.

Thank you.

Recent Statements