The Security Council renews the mandate of the Verification Mission in Colombia under the resolution 2574 (2021)

On 11th May 2021, the Security Council member States decided to postpone the mandate of the Verification Mission that is taking place in Colombia since July 2017. This Mission was created almost 4 years ago to support the peace negotiations between the formal government of Colombia and the paramilitary group called FARC-EP. Its main functions include accompanying the parties and verifying their commitments regarding points 3.2 and 3.4 of the Final Peace Agreement on the reintegration of former FARC-EP members, and the implementation of measures of protection and security for former FARC-EP members and communities in territories most affected by the conflict. In its first moths of mandate, the verification mission managed to work closely with national authorities and former FARC combatants to promote progress in reintegration and security related issues with a constructive and proactive approach. The UN international security body opted for extending the presence of the mission in Colombia to monitor implementation of the sentences ruled by a special judicial body established under the 2016 peace agreement between the parties. Through the resolution 2574 (2021) the mission will take additional steps in verifying compliance with the sentences issued by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace to individuals who committed crimes committed during the 50-year conflict. For further information, please visit: https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sc14518.doc.htm and https://dppa.un.org/en/mission/verification-mission-colombia