The Policy responds to an updating process that began in 2008 and 2017 under the leadership of HH.RR and IHL directors of the Ministry of Defense that initiated institutional strengthening in these matters.
The Policy incorporates the recognition made by the Constitutional Court related to the character of victims of the armed conflict and the corresponding legal prerogatives.
“This is an institutional Policy that respects the other policies, strategies, programs, plans and resources of the Defense sector. By way of analogy, its main objective is to dialogue, to remind the importance of not overstepping limits that can strike rights, normative borders that cast doubt on military and police mission, which are unethical behaviors that deteriorate institutional legitimacy, and diffuse procedures that, in the end, threaten the professionalism and rigor of the uniformed men and women.”
This was stated by the Minister of National Defense, Iván Velásquez, at the presentation of the new Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Policy, on Monday morning at the Nueva Granada Military University, in order to strengthen the implementation of the HH. RR. and IHL to promote their respect, protection and contribute to compliance in the Defense sector.
With the update of the Policy, the fundamental principles of life are strengthened; good physical condition, personal freedom and security; freedom of expression, the right to peaceful and public assembly and demonstration; truth and non-repetition commitments; access to information and transparency, and privacy, honor and good name.
Accompanied by the military and police commanders, the deputy ministers of Defense, and the General and Council secretaries, the Defense minister highlighted that the new Policy is aligned with the Security, Defense and Citizen Coexistence Policy Commitments for life and Peace 2022 – 2026, and with the National Development Plan Colombia Power of Life 2022 – 2026.
"Making this Policy known to you, to the country, to the international people, but, above all, to the Military Forces, fills me with pride. In this way, we continue to honor the word of the President of the Republic, for whom all government policies must have a human rights approach; in addition, we intend to be consistent with the feelings and needs of society,” Velásquez said.
In that sense, the Minister of Defense informed that the guidelines presented fulfill the “unwavering commitment to fully dignify the profession of uniformed men and women, as has been done with the Comprehensive Wellbeing Policy for the Military Forces and their families 2023 – 2027.”
Regarding the ”added value of the new document,“ the Minister explained that the guidelines on Human Rights and IHL were arranged in a single narrative body, drafted as guidelines and in simple language,” so that men and women, regardless of the rank or responsibility exercised in the Defense sector, understand them more easily and harmoniously," he said.
"This Policy will give greater clarity to the country about the respectful mission regarding HH.RR and IHL by the Ministry of Defense and the Colombian Military Forces. Their better understanding is facilitated by the fact that in a single narrative body the two frameworks of International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law are contemplated, in a complementary way, respecting the nature, purposes, scope and principles of each one,” Velásquez said.
For her part, the Director of Human Rights and IHL of the Ministry of National Defense, Diana Sánchez, informed that the Policy consists of 8 strategies, 22 lines of operation and 45 operations, while each branch has its own guidelines.
"We hope to further legitimize the Military Forces in their mission. We hope that society will in the same way have clarity about the scope and limits of the Military Forces, and that the territories, regions and communities that still do not recognize or have distances and gaps to accept the work and mission of the Military Forces, in those territories, will do so, because that is the horizon to which we have to walk,” said the director.
At the presentation event of the new Policy, the Minister of Defense and the commanders handed over to the new generations of students, representing the training schools of the Military Forces and the National Police, the new document containing the Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Policy, as a symbol of the fundamental guide in respect for the dignity and life of Colombians.
Source: Press – Ministry of National Defense
