Colombia’s progressive government has initiated a new programme designed to ensure that former FARC guerrillas of indigenous heritage can fully participate in the peace process. The programme recognises the specific needs of indigenous populations and the importance of ensuring that their reincorporation takes full account of their traditions, cultures and ancestral territories.
Of the roughly 13,500 former FARC guerrillas accredited in the peace process, 1,832 are of ethnic indigenous heritage, according to United Nations figures. When active, the FARC was particularly strong in indigenous and other rural territories in southern Colombia, ensuring that the percentage of indigenous guerrillas exceeded that of the national population.
However, the ethnic chapter contained in the 2016 peace agreement has faced major delays and obstacles to its implementation. This has complicated the reincorporation of indigenous former guerrillas, while ongoing conflict violence has disproportionately impacted these communities, particularly in the regions of Cauca and Nariño.
The new programme, entitled ‘Pathways to return to the origin’ (Caminos para Volver al origen), recognises indigenous rights and ethnic diversity as protected under the Colombian constitution. It contains five specific points to ensure reincorporation in the peace process meets the necessities of indigenous former guerrillas. These are:
- Self-government – the need to respect indigenous autonomy and authorities
- Territory and nature – protection of relations and access to land and natural resources
- Wellbeing – the health and life quality of communities
- Role of women, children and youths – recognition of the social roles of women and young people
- Cultural and spiritual identity – Preservation and promotion of ancestral traditions, practices, knowledge and beliefs
In practice, the programme ensures that core aspects of the peace agreement, such as productive projects, political participation and access to information, are adapted where necessary to indigenous structures of self-governance and traditional practices. State institutions the Interior Ministry and the agreement’s Implementation Unit are required to adopt measures to meet these specific needs and to provide the requisite budgets.
The programme is the latest step by the Petro government to advance implementation of the 2016 peace agreement, following serious delays and neglect under previous administrations.