Colombian Congress Approves FARC Demobilization Zones

The Colombian Congress has unanimously voted to support the creation of special safe zones – concentration areas where the FARC guerrillas will demobilize – in preparation for the signing of a final peace deal between the government and the rebels.

The motion, called the Public Order Act, was passed unanimously in congress Wednesday evening, the latest step in the peace process. It is considered a groundbreaking vote since it even received support from the opposition Democratic Center, the party of former right-wing President Alvaro Uribe, who has opposed the peace talks since they were first announced in August 2012.

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The legislation calls for the creation of several demilitarized zones where the rebels can begin their process of demobilization, disarmament and reintegration back into society, and eventually the political arena, without fear of retribution.

These areas will also be supervised by the United Nations and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, or CELAC.

The bill also stipulates that all current arrest warrants for guerrillas will be canceled and they will be allowed to travel freely to the demilitarized zones, where they will be subject to a transitional justice process. This was a system put in place as part of the peace negotiations to apply amnesty for anyone involved in the last years of fighting, but not suspected of war crimes or other violations of international humanitarian law.

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The new law also lifts the ban on representatives of social organizations and political parties talking to the FARC, a matter of controversy lately.

The bill has now awaits the signature of President Juan Manuel Santos.

The Colombian government and the FARC have been undergoing peace negotiations for over three years, the latest attempt to end over 50 years of fighting that has seen over 220,000 people killed and millions more displaced or disappeared.

The two sides were expected to sign a final deal by their self-imposed deadline of March 23. The negotiations have seen setbacks in recent weeks, however, causing President Santos to announce Wednesday that his government will not sign a deal prematurely and will consider postponing the deadline.

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