Facilitating Access to Reparation 
 for Victims of Illegal Armed 
 Groups in Colombia 

Colombian President Alvaro Uribe hands over compensation to a victim of violence as part of the Colombian Government Reparation Programme, which is supported by IOM. © IOM 2009
The IOM project "Technical Assistance to the Administrative Reparation Programme in Colombia" aims to support the Colombian government in carrying out its Administrative Reparation Programme, an initiative that seeks to compensate victims of violence inflicted by illegal armed groups.

It is important to clarify that the Colombian Government does not accept responsibility for the crimes committed by illegal armed groups and only acts on behalf of the principle of solidarity.  The reparation programme is part of Colombia's Justice and Peace process.

Key Objectives

  • Strengthen the knowledge, skills and resources of the Colombian Government in carrying out its reparation policy
  • Reinforce  victims' access to the reparation process
  • Replicate the methodology IOM has used in the reparation programmes of other countries

Beneficiaries

  • Victims of violence interested in applying for compensation

Concrete Benefits

  • The Government's efficient and effective attention to victims of violence who are applying for compensation
  • An increasing number of victims served within the Justice and Peace process
  • Consolidation of a wider reparation policy, which includes guaranteeing the rights of victims to truth, justice and reparation, and the reintegration of former members of illegal armed groups.

Programme Description

IOM has been working with the Colombian Government in the implementation of the Justice and Peace Law and also in activities related to attention to victims and their access to the reparation process.

Due to IOM's well-known experience in carrying out similar projects, the Colombian Government requested technical assistance from IOM in the design and implementation of the Programme.

IOM Activities

Since December 2008, IOM has been working in the following areas: 

Technical Assistance

  • Help conceptualize the framework for the Administrative Reparation Programme.
  • Participate in discussions for the writing of Decree 1290/08.
  • Participate in strategic meetings to explain IOM's experience in other reparation programmes around the world.
  • Construct work plans.
  • Provide technical assistance to prioritize specific vulnerable populations.

Operational Activities

  • Hire personnel to implement the programme.
  • Design a special database for victims' applications.
  • Acquire and set up computers and work stations.

Information Campaigns

  • Design the information campaign to increase victims' access to the reparation process.
  • Distribute application forms to Colombian municipalities.
  • Air radio and TV broadcasts to explain the reparation process.
  • Print and distribute posters and flyers about the programme.

Reparation Payment Ceremonies

  • Assist the government in organizing the ceremonies for the handing over of financial compensation to the victims.
  • Arrange for the transport and accommodation of the victims.
  • During the next three years IOM will continue to support the Administrative Reparation Programme.

Background

Beneficiaries of the Colombian Government Reparation Programme begin to arrive to attend a ceremony where they will receive compensation. © IOM 2009
In 2005, the Colombian Government consolidated a political negotiation process with the paramilitary forces (Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia). As a result of that negotiation, more than 30,000 combatants were demobilized. 

In order to establish a legal framework, the Government passed a Bill to Congress and the Justice and Peace Law (975/05) was approved.  Within the scope of the Law, demobilized ex-combatants are able to apply to the benefits offered by the Law in exchange for the disclosure of the truth, the transfer of assets and the dissolution of the armed group.

As part of the regulation of the Justice and Peace Law, the Colombian Government approved Decree 1290/08 and implemented the Administrative Reparation Programme to establish a mechanism to compensate victims of violence in Colombia.

The Administrative Reparation Committee handles the programme and is composed of the Ministry of Justice, the President of the National Commission for Reparation and Reconciliation, a representative of the victims, and the Director of Acción Social, the governmental office in charge of social policy.

The Decree benefits victims of illegal armed groups but does not cover victims of State crimes.  The Programme compensates victims of the following crimes:

  • Homicide
  • Forced disappearance and abduction
  • Psychological and personal injuries
  • Torture
  • Crimes against sexual integrity
  • Children’s recruitment
  • Forced displacement

The Government has up to 18 months to give an official answer to the applicant; the victims will not require a lawyer to carry out the procedure.

To date, more than 280,000 persons have applied for financial compensation.  During 2009, 10,000 families have received compensation for more than 100 million US dollars; the programme plans to pay another 150 million US dollars before the end of this mandate.