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Colombia conflict victims join Farc peace talks in Cuba | Colombia conflict victims join Farc peace talks in Cuba |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A group of victims from five decades of conflict in Colombia has for the first time joined left-wing Farc rebels and government negotiators in peace talks. | A group of victims from five decades of conflict in Colombia has for the first time joined left-wing Farc rebels and government negotiators in peace talks. |
The negotiations were launched in October 2012 and have been taking place in the Cuban capital, Havana. | The negotiations were launched in October 2012 and have been taking place in the Cuban capital, Havana. |
Some 220,000 people are estimated to have died in 50 years of violence. | Some 220,000 people are estimated to have died in 50 years of violence. |
The victims told a press conference in Havana that they were listened to by the negotiators with a great deal of respect. | |
One woman whose entire family was killed by left-wing militants said that being able to look Farc members in the face was "the most important meeting" of her life. | One woman whose entire family was killed by left-wing militants said that being able to look Farc members in the face was "the most important meeting" of her life. |
At least three million people have been displaced by the conflict. Most of the victims were civilians. | At least three million people have been displaced by the conflict. Most of the victims were civilians. |
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos hailed the direct involvement of the victims as a historic step towards ending the conflict. | Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos hailed the direct involvement of the victims as a historic step towards ending the conflict. |
The group of 12 people attending the talks include victims of left-wing rebels as well as those who have suffered at the hands of right-wing paramilitaries and government's security forces. | The group of 12 people attending the talks include victims of left-wing rebels as well as those who have suffered at the hands of right-wing paramilitaries and government's security forces. |
That has led to criticism in Colombia, said the BBC's Arturo Wallace in Bogota. | That has led to criticism in Colombia, said the BBC's Arturo Wallace in Bogota. |
Some people believe that only those affected by the Farc's violence should have travelled to Cuba to attend talks with the rebel group. | Some people believe that only those affected by the Farc's violence should have travelled to Cuba to attend talks with the rebel group. |
But the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay praised the move, calling it unprecedented and a potential model for other countries dealing with issues of justice, peace and reconciliation. | But the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay praised the move, calling it unprecedented and a potential model for other countries dealing with issues of justice, peace and reconciliation. |
Sixty people in total have been selected to join the negotiations in Cuba over the next weeks. | Sixty people in total have been selected to join the negotiations in Cuba over the next weeks. |
'Right to compensation' | 'Right to compensation' |
For decades left-wing rebels and the government rejected allegations of human rights abuses and blamed each other for the deaths and the displacements. | For decades left-wing rebels and the government rejected allegations of human rights abuses and blamed each other for the deaths and the displacements. |
But in June the rebels acknowledged that there were victims in the conflict, in a statement that was seen as extremely significant in Havana. | But in June the rebels acknowledged that there were victims in the conflict, in a statement that was seen as extremely significant in Havana. |
The "victims of human rights abuses" have the right to the truth, justice, compensation and the guarantee that such violations will never happen again, says the document. | The "victims of human rights abuses" have the right to the truth, justice, compensation and the guarantee that such violations will never happen again, says the document. |
The talks are aimed at getting the Farc to sign an agreement renouncing to its armed struggle in order join the legal political process. | The talks are aimed at getting the Farc to sign an agreement renouncing to its armed struggle in order join the legal political process. |
There has been agreement in three of the six points on the peace agenda - land reform, political participation and illicit drugs. | There has been agreement in three of the six points on the peace agenda - land reform, political participation and illicit drugs. |
Once both sides reach an agreement on the rights of the victims, they will negotiate the two remaining issues: disarmament and the implementation of the peace deal. | Once both sides reach an agreement on the rights of the victims, they will negotiate the two remaining issues: disarmament and the implementation of the peace deal. |
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