This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-38455493
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Colombia approves amnesty agreed in Farc peace deal | Colombia approves amnesty agreed in Farc peace deal |
(about 11 hours later) | |
The Colombian Congress has approved a law offering amnesty to some of those accused of minor crimes in the country's decades-long civil conflict. | The Colombian Congress has approved a law offering amnesty to some of those accused of minor crimes in the country's decades-long civil conflict. |
President Juan Manuel Santos hailed it as a "the first step towards the consolidation of peace" with the left-wing Farc guerrilla group. | President Juan Manuel Santos hailed it as a "the first step towards the consolidation of peace" with the left-wing Farc guerrilla group. |
The amnesty is part of a revised deal agreed after the original pact with the Farc was rejected in a popular vote. | The amnesty is part of a revised deal agreed after the original pact with the Farc was rejected in a popular vote. |
The conflict has killed more than 260,000 people and displaced millions. | The conflict has killed more than 260,000 people and displaced millions. |
The law will offer freedom from prosecution for some junior members of the Farc, the country's largest rebel group - and for some army soldiers. But in both cases they must only be accused of minor crimes. | The law will offer freedom from prosecution for some junior members of the Farc, the country's largest rebel group - and for some army soldiers. But in both cases they must only be accused of minor crimes. |
Thousands of guerrilla fighters who are accused of minor crimes stand to be pardoned under the law. | Thousands of guerrilla fighters who are accused of minor crimes stand to be pardoned under the law. |
The original peace deal, rejected at a referendum on 2 October, was seen by many as too lenient towards the rebels. | The original peace deal, rejected at a referendum on 2 October, was seen by many as too lenient towards the rebels. |
The government and the Farc then went back to the negotiating table to try to strike a new deal acceptable to those who had voted "no". | The government and the Farc then went back to the negotiating table to try to strike a new deal acceptable to those who had voted "no". |
The main amendments included: | The main amendments included: |
The House of Representatives and the Senate overwhelmingly approved the amnesty law on Wednesday. | |
The revised peace deal was ratified by Congress on 1 December. It is not due to be submitted to a popular vote. | The revised peace deal was ratified by Congress on 1 December. It is not due to be submitted to a popular vote. |
Mr Santos has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his part in the negotiations. | Mr Santos has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his part in the negotiations. |
Previous version
1
Next version