A total of 5,782 bodies have been found in 4,496 mass graves in several regions of Colombia over the past nine years, according to a joint report by the country's National Transitional Justice Unit and the Attorney General.
Among the bodies listed in the document, 4,527 of those killed are likely victims of paramilitary groups. The department of Antioquia, where former President Alvaro Uribe was governor, had the most exhumations with 992 cases, followed by Magdalena with 657, Meta with 494 and Putumayo with 472.
A significant number of those dug up are likely victims of enforced disappearance, and most of the graves were discovered in areas once controlled by the United Self-Defence Forces of Colombia (AUC), the country’s largest paramilitary group.
In 2003, former President Uribe signed a peace deal with the AUC, however other paramilitary groups remain active and control a significant portion of drug trafficking in the country.
The last three years have seen the government of Juan Manuel Santos pass laws relating to the right of victims and land restitution, as well paying reparations to victims of forced disappearances.
Authorities and forensic specialists are currently working in the department of Nariño to dig up the remains of 60 people killed by paramilitary groups over the past decade.
Saturday 14 February 2015
http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Nearly-6000-Bodies-Found-in-Colombias-Mass-Graves-20150213-0028.html
0 comments:
Post a Comment