I would first like to thank the Special Representative, Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, for his briefing, as well as Ms. Hilda Molano, who enlightened us on the long-term risks posed by the upsurge of child recruitment by armed groups. I also welcome the presence among us of Her Excellency, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, Ms. Laura Sarabia.
The 2016 Final Agreement is a model in the area of peace process. It seeks to end a conflict that has ravaged Colombia for decades and to address the historical factors that catapulted the country into this situation. Its success is necessary for Colombia, which aspires to stability; it is also crucial for us, its international partners, who wish to continue to show that conflict resolution and peacebuilding are still within reach. This is the case when there is a shared resolve of the parties concerned and support from the international community – this is why the process in Colombia is an example for all the crises on this Council’s agenda.
The full implementation of this agreement is crucial. It is primarily the responsibility of the Colombian government, whose efforts in this regard France commends. This commitment must be continued and stepped up so that progress can be accelerated in the coming months for the benefit of the Colombian people. I would like to emphasize three key dimensions to achieve this:
1. Rural reform is an essential pillar for addressing the structural causes of the conflict, in particular the unequal distribution of land. France, as a “supporting country” for this chapter of the Peace Agreement, places particular importance here. It welcomes the progress achieved and will continue to support the Colombian government through training, exchanges with French experts and support for the creation of agricultural cooperatives.
2. Transitional justice plays a key role in the reconciliation process between Colombians. The Special Jurisdiction for Peace has made possible to seek the truth and establish accountabilities. Restorative sentences must be handed down and conditions for their full implementation must be met. France calls for dialogue among the parties to enable this process to move forward.
3. Security is a necessary condition for the full implementation of the Peace Agreement. France condemns the deadly attacks in the Catatumbo region and calls on armed groups to cease their violent actions. Efforts to combat this upsurge in violence must be supported, as must those to guarantee the security of former combatants and the most affected communities. Children are among them, as we have heard. Many of them have died or are maimed given the massive presence of anti-personnel mines. Their recruitment by armed groups, sexual violence and all other serious violations of children’s rights have increased alarmingly. It is urgent to put an end to this violence and to address these violations through the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, which opened this case in 2019. I reiterate France’s appeal to armed groups to unconditionally release children recruited, most often to participate in drug trafficking or illegal mining exploitations, and to end these practices, which are contrary to international law. I welcome the brave action of local partners and personalities who are working at the risk of their lives to protect young people from the risk of recruitment. All these measures are essential to reducing violence and must go hand in hand with a bolster presence of the State, which is the only way to break the cycle of instability.
Finally, I can not forget the role played by the Special Representative and the United Nations Verification Mission in the progress achieved in implementing the Peace Agreement over the past few years. He has our gratitude and the one of Colombian authorities. We must preserve the unanimous support of this Council for their actions in the favor of peace and security in Colombia and in the region.
Thank you.