Havana - The Colombian government and FARC guerrillas said Thursday they have agreed at peace talks to set up a truth commission to probe crimes committed during the country's half-century conflict.
The "extra-judicial" commission, whose creation is contingent upon reaching a final peace deal, will not have the power to punish perpetrators. And the information it uncovers cannot be used in court, the two sides said in a statement.
The agreement overcomes a major stumbling block in the peace negotiations. But it could meet with criticism from victims and family members who have called to bring perpetrators to justice for atrocities committed during the conflict.
"The parties pledge to contribute decisively to clarifying the truth on everything that has taken place during the conflict, including grave human rights violations and infractions of international humanitarian law," said the statement.
The commission "will not be judicial in nature nor be able to impose penalties on those who appear before it," added the statement, read out by Cuban diplomat Rodolfo Benitez at the close of the latest round of peace talks between the government and the FARC in Havana.
The body will be "independent and impartial," but the information it generates "cannot be transferred to judicial authorities to be used as evidence or attribute responsibility at trial," added the statement.
However, it made no mention of an amnesty for those who admit to crimes before the commission, which has been a feature of truth and reconciliation processes in countries such as South Africa.
AFP
