S/PV.8450 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Colombia and Cuba to participate in this meeting. On behalf of the Council, I warmly welcome His Excellency Mr. Carlos Holmes Trujillo García, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Special Representative of the Secretary- General and Head of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I give the floor to Mr. Ruiz Massieu.

I am very pleased to have this opportunity to address the Security Council, for the first time, upon its consideration of the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (S/2018/1159). I welcome the participation in this meeting of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia, Mr. Carlos Holmes Trujillo García, and of the High Counsellor for Post-Conflict, Mr. Emilio José Archila. I also take this opportunity to express my gratitude for the warm welcome I received in their country. (spoke in English) The tragic events of late last week in Bogotá remind us once again of the urgent need to end violence and persevere in efforts to ensure a more peaceful future for all Colombians. Both the Council and the Secretary- General delivered a strong and clear condemnation of the car bombing at the General Santander Police Academy on 17 January, which 1eft 21 dead and dozens injured. On 21 January, the National Liberation Army (ELN) acknowledged responsibility for this attack. In the swift rejection of the attack from across the political spectrum in Colombia and in the marches held around the country this past Sunday, Colombians demonstrated their ever-broader consensus around the rejection of violence, which is highlighted in the report of the Secretary-General as one of the fruits of peace. This consensus must continue to be nurtured. Since taking up my duties on 7 January, I have met with key interlocutors for the Mission, including from the Colombian Government, the Fuerza Alternativa Revolucionaria del Común (FARC), civil society and the international community. I held productive initial meetings with President Duque, Foreign Minister Trujillo, High Counsellor Archila and High Commissioner for Peace Miguel Ceballos. I also met with FARC leaders in Bogotá and visited two of the territorial areas for training and reintegration in the departments of Antioquia and Caquetá. These visits confirmed both the strong desire of former combatants to work and find their place in society, as well as the uncertainty many still feel regarding their security, including their legal security and economic future. I held discussions with civil society representatives, including women’s organizations, and with the Presidents of both the Special Jurisdiction for Peace and the Commission on Truth, Coexistence and Non-Repetition, all of whom stressed their commitment to the peace process and their appreciation for the work of the Mission. In my meetings with the Resident Coordinator and members of the United Nations country team, we discussed the importance of their partnership with the Mission on reintegration and legal and security guarantees, as well as their complementary support for the implementation of agreements on rural development, political participation, transitional justice and the voluntary substitution of illicit crops. Discussions also touched on ongoing cooperation on cross-cutting dimensions of gender, ethnic affairs, child protection and youth. I am pleased to report that the Government’s high- level forum on gender, which was responsible for the implementation of the gender provisions of the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace, met for the first time on 16 January. The inauguration of the Truth Commission, which now embarks on a three-year mandate to foster truth and reconciliation, represents an important milestone. On 16 January, the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, entrusted with one of the most sensitive dimensions of any peace process — that of transitional justice — completed its first year of operation. As a measure of what is at stake, the five cases initiated in the first year of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace will examine responsibility for violent actions impacting no fewer than 32,000 victims. Progress on the cases before the Special Jurisdiction continues. The Jurisdiction has taken testimony from 46 members of the armed forces in the context of extrajudicial killings. Two days ago, it announced that 31 members of the FARC leadership will also be required to appear in person to provide their testimony on individual and collective responsibility for kidnappings. As the Security Council has itself insisted, it remains vitally important that the independence and autonomy of the Special Jurisdiction be respected and that it receive the support required to operate effectively. Turning to the economic reintegration of former members of the Fuerza Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP), I welcome the approval of additional productive projects by the National Reintegration Council and advances in the disbursements for these projects. The challenge ahead, as noted in the report and confirmed in my first discussions and field visits, is to further accelerate such efforts and to ensure their sustainability in order to advance on the acquisition of land and to work on the development of markets for goods and services produced, including with the participation of local Governments and the private sector. I welcome the Government’s decision in December to extend food distribution to former combatants in the territorial areas for training and reintegration for an additional eight months. This assistance, as well as current health and education services and the provision of basic monthly payments to all former FARC-EP members, are set to expire in August. A near-term challenge is to define the status of the 24 territorial areas, whose current authorization, due to expire on 15 August, is a matter of concern and uncertainty for the thousands of former FARC- EP members inhabiting those spaces. I welcome Mr. Archila’s recent public remarks reassuring those in the reintegration process that a solution will be found, building on a current census of those living and working in these areas. It will require, however, a concerted effort to work through the legal, financial and other implications and to arrive at an agreed set of proposals. Therefore, time is of the essence to arrive at an agreed way forward. Regarding political reintegration, on 27 October the FARC party will participate, for the first time, in regional and local elections, marking another advance in its political participation. To ensure the security of the FARC in undertaking political activities at the local level during the coming elections, the Technical Committee on Security and Protection has begun work on a protection plan. Colombia’s presidential elections in 2018 were the most peaceful in decades. To ensure that similar conditions prevail in this year’s elections and given specific concerns with regard to the FARC party, comprehensive prevention and protection measures will be needed to ensure the safety of candidates of all parties, as well as communities and their leaders. A wave of killings of social leaders in the very first days of the new year reinforced the deep concerns about these killings expressed by the Secretary- General in his report and which the Council has also expressed repeatedly. Seven leaders, six men and one woman, were killed in the first seven days of January and a total of 31 attacks in 10 departments have been reported since the publication of the report. According to investigations by the Office of the Attorney General, three-quarters of these killings are being committed by criminal and illegal armed groups. Leaders being targeted include members of local election boards, leaders involved in land-reclamation processes, leaders active in the voluntary crop substitution programme and leaders of indigenous communities. President Duque has expressed his personal commitment to addressing this issue. The Government has indicated that it has activated its Action Plan for the Protection of Social and Community Leaders, Human Rights Defenders and Journalists in specific departments. The Ministers of Defence and the Interior and the High Commissioner for Peace have been charged with identifying additional actions required. The Inspector General has called for implementation of a series of commitments in the national pact for life and for the protection of social leaders and human rights defenders endorsed by the Government and civil society representatives in August. I urge the swift implementation of these measures and that they be coupled with broader efforts to ensure an effective State presence in these areas. I welcome President Duque’s decision to convene the National Commission on Security Guarantees on 30 January, as it is entrusted with defining a strategy to dismantle criminal and illegal armed groups with the participation of civil society. In addition to the 14 FARC-EP members killed during the period covered by the report of the Secretary- General report, 2 more have been killed this year. A total of 87 have been killed since the Peace Agreement was signed. This underscores the importance of provisions of effective security for new settlements outside the territorial areas for training and reintegration, which are where the vast majority of these killings have taken place. The security of communities, leaders and FARC-EP members is ultimately tied to the ability of the State to establish an integrated security and civilian presence in conflict-affected areas. The Government’s “Peace with legality” plan provides a road map for achieving this important objective. It builds on the 16 development programmes with a territorial focus agreed under the peace agreement and links them more clearly to assisting nearly 100,000 families under the voluntary crop-substitution programme and to the reintegration of former FARC-EP members. As stated by the Secretary- General, what is now urgently required is a translation of this and other plans into effective actions that change the realities on the ground. Before concluding, I would like to pay tribute to the important contributions made over the past three and a half years by my predecessor, Jean Arnault. I add my words of appreciation to those I have heard from so many Colombians for the important role he has played in the peace process. I would like to stress that one of the messages I have heard consistently from Colombians during my first weeks on the ground is how strongly they both welcome and expect the support and assistance of the international community as they seek to overcome the many challenges to consolidating peace. The continued engagement and support of the Security Council will remain a vital pillar of Colombia’s peace process. I assure Council members of the commitment of the Mission to carrying forward the task the Security Council has entrusted to it.

I thank Mr. Ruiz Massieu for his briefing and the information that he provided this morning. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.

Mr. President, I would like to welcome you again to the Security Council; we thank you for being with us today. I would also like to welcome the Colombian Foreign Minister, who has visited us before, and whom we thank for being with us again. We also offer a big welcome to the Special Representative in his first appearance before the Council. I think he and his team have made a very good start in just two weeks, and his briefing was very helpful. We thank him very much for it. May I begin by reiterating our condolences to all those affected by the bomb attack in Bogotá last week. There is no justification for such violence, and we condemn terrorist acts in all their forms. It is good that the Council was able to issue a statement (SC/13671). I think the attack underlines the significance of the end of the armed conflict with the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP). It reminds us of the importance of pressing ahead with work to implement the Peace Agreement in order to consolidate peace and build stability. I think the focus we heard today on the implementation of the Peace Agreement has been very important. I wanted to start where the Special Representative finished by saying that I think the Council has been pleased to support Colombia in this important process, and the Council has been united in doing so. As the Special Representative said, Council support is a vital pillar in helping Colombia achieve success in the peace process. As the penholder, I can promise Colombia’s representatives here today that we will do our utmost to ensure that this effort continues. I wanted also to welcome the steps that the new Colombian Government has taken over the last three months, particularly towards the effective reintegration of former FARC-EP members and comprehensive rural development, and this is particularly through the development programmes with a territorial approach. I was very interested in what the Special Representative had to say about the economics, particularly with respect to education and food and what is happening in the 24 territories. It is very good to have that level of detail. I think we share the hopes set out in the report of the Secretary-General (S/2018/1159) that Colombia’s “Peace with legality” plan can bring both security and economic development to former conflict areas, and we see the upcoming year as an opportunity for the Government to cement and build on achievements over the past two years since the Peace Agreement was signed. But as the Secretary-General also said, there are considerable challenges, and in particular, I would like to use today’s meeting to highlight two issues that we believe deserve the Colombian Government’s urgent attention. The first is that we share the Secretary-General’s alarm with regard to the increasing killings of human rights defenders and social leaders by organized criminal groups competing for rural territory. The Special Representative gave us some additional detail on that issue. The lack of State presence and the persistence of violence in these areas risk undermining the peace process if people lose faith in the State’s ability to provide safety and economic opportunity. Secondly, we concur with the Secretary-General’s call for increased coordination across State institutions. A coherent and holistic approach to tackling security and development issues in former conflict areas is vital. The “Peace with legality” plan recognizes the need to coordinate implementation with other policies on security, drugs and protection of leaders. Bringing these plans together — and most importantly delivering on them — will be crucial to preventing renewed cycles of violence. I would like to conclude by also thanking Jean Arnault, the previous Special Representative, for his significant contribution to Colombia’s peace process and once again to reiterate our full support for the new Special Representative and for Colombian Foreign Minister Trujillo García. We are fully committed to working with him — as is the rest of the Council — as his country works towards securing a lasting and sustained peace.

We welcome the President in the Security Council today; it is excellent to have him back with us. We thank Special Representative Ruiz Massieu for his briefing. We look forward to his leadership as we begin the next chapter in the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia. We also thank former Special Representative Jean Arnault for his outstanding contributions to the peace process in Colombia. We warmly welcome our close partners in the Colombian Government, High Counsellor for Post-Conflict Archila and Foreign Minister Trujillo García. We thank them for joining us today. On 24 November, Colombians commemorated the second anniversary of the Final Peace Agreement. Since the signing of the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace, Colombia has been an inspiration for peace, not just in the region, but around the world. The gains of this peace are irrefutable. Over the past two years, Colombians have put aside over a half-century of fighting, held peaceful and inclusive elections, set up transitional-justice institutions and extended development and governance to remote areas of the country. We believe the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia has been vital to this success, and we welcome the Colombian Government’s support for the United Nations. Despite this progress, now is not the time to become complacent, as evidenced by the deadly car bombing in Bogotá last week. We strongly condemn this attack and offer our condolences to the victims and their families. Ensuring meaningful justice and accountability for those responsible for serious crimes committed during so many years of armed conflict is vital to reconciliation, as is the need to tackle violence and poverty in the conflict-affected areas. We remain concerned about the persistent instability and the violence related to illicit activities, security vacuums and a lack of meaningful State presence in so many rural areas. We trust that the Government will continue its efforts to protect vulnerable populations and human rights defenders, and to expand its presence in conflict-affected areas so as to keep illegal armed groups and criminal organizations from replacing the Fuerza Alternativa Revolucionaria del Común and creating a new source of violence. Effective military and civilian agencies that provide security and Government services in remote areas are critical to sustained peace. We encourage the Government to continue its efforts to protect, support and empower displaced Colombians. President Duque well knows the challenges that face Colombia. We are encouraged by his strong resolve and his Government’s partnership with the United States on matters ranging from counter-narcotics and security to the humanitarian response to the Venezuela regional crisis. The success of the peace accord and counter- narcotics efforts are intrinsically linked. We are committed to partnering with our Colombian friends to dismantle criminal organizations and to curtail narcotrafficking. In the United States, President Trump has made substance abuse prevention a priority for his Administration, issued a global call to action on the world drug problem and chaired a high-level event on counter-narcotics during the high-level week here at the United Nations in September last year. The United States continues to work with the Colombian Government to cut coca cultivation and cocaine production in Colombia by half by the end of 2023. Together we can achieve sustainable results for the people of both countries through increased resources, the effective use of all available tools and an integrated whole-of-Government approach. Colombia has shown its strength as a regional leader. The United States is grateful for Colombia’s generosity in hosting more than 1.1 million Venezuelans fleeing the man-made crisis in their country. We are proud to support Colombia’s response to the crisis by committing $92 million to assist the Venezuelan people and the communities hosting them in Colombia, including $55 million in humanitarian aid and more than $37 million in bilateral development funding. We have also provided more than $39 million in humanitarian assistance for the protection of and assistance to Colombians forcibly displaced throughout the region, including internally displaced persons inside Colombia. The United States stands firmly with President Duque and the people of Colombia as they continue to preserve the hard-won peace and build a strong and prosperous future for generations to come.

It is an honour to once again see you, Mr. Minister, presiding over our deliberations. We appreciate the convening of this meeting and the briefing by Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, whom we congratulate on his appointment. We assure him of our cooperation. We welcome the participation of Mr. Carlos Holmes Trujillo García, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia, and Mr. Emilio Archila, High Counsellor for Post-Conflict. I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the efforts undertaken by Mr. Jean Arnault and his important contribution to the peace process in Colombia. Allow me to begin by reiterating our strongest condemnation of the heinous terrorist attack by the National Liberation Army in Bogotá last week, as well as our most heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. Peru reiterates its full support to Colombia and commends the resilience of the Colombian people and their unquestionable commitment to peace. Last November marked two years since the signing of the historic peace agreement, which put an end to more than 50 years of conflict. In a short period of time, enormous progress has been made in consolidating the agreement. It is important to continue to move towards its full implementation. We would like to highlight the measures adopted by the Government of Colombia in order to improve the coordination of the actors involved and strengthen the presence of the State throughout the territory. We will focus in particular on the efforts required in the areas of security, the reintegration of former combatants and national reconciliation. Despite the progress with regard to security, we regret the ongoing killings of social leaders, human rights defenders and former combatants. As indicated in the report of the Secretary-General (S/2018/1159), coordinated action by all actors on the ground is required, in particular in the most vulnerable rural areas. In that regard, we wish to welcome the adoption of the “Peace with legality” plan, which seeks to protect, stabilize and develop the former conflict areas and should be complemented by the Action Plan for the Protection of Social and Community Leaders, Human Rights Defenders and Journalists. We also highlight the importance of the early warning mechanism of the Ombudsman’s Office, which, among other elements, highlights the threat posed by the criminal groups competing for the control of the former conflict areas used to transport illicit goods, such as drug trafficking. With respect to the reintegration of former combatants, we would like to acknowledge the commitment and efforts of the Government in tackling the complex challenges of that aspect of the agreement. In that context, we believe that it is important to strengthen inter-institutional coordination and the participation of the local authorities and to take into account the allocation of the necessary resources. In that regard, we believe that the new “Peace with legality” plan should also be linked to development programmes with a territorial approach, the crop substitution programme and rural reform. All the above must take into account the gender perspective towards the economic empowerment of women and the role of young people. In that process, we acknowledge the contribution of the territorial areas for training and reintegration and the monthly allowances. We believe that it is important to have an inclusive reflection process concerning their future after August that takes into account the access of former combatants to land and alternative sources of income. In that vein, we highlight that more than 90,000 Colombian families have signed voluntary agreements for the substitution of illicit crops. Our own experience with regard to alternative development programmes bear witness to their effectiveness, and we believe that it is important that the new national strategy to fight drugs “The future path” continue to promote such measures. Finally, we would like to highlight the importance of the Comprehensive System of Truth, Justice, Reparation and Non-Repetition to ensure the rights of victims and to promote access to justice and national reconciliation in Colombia, in particular the role of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace. In conclusion, I reaffirm Peru’s commitment to sustaining peace and development in this sister country, based on the unity of the Council, with a view to consolidating Latin America and the Caribbean as a region of peace.

I would first like to thank Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for his very informative briefing on the outstanding work of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia. Allow me to take this opportunity to again pay tribute to his predecessor, Mr. Jean Arnault, for his exemplary commitment. I also welcome the presence among us of Mr. Carlos Holmes Trujillo García, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia, and Mr. Emilio Archila, High Counsellor for Post-Conflict. The attack on 17 January was a shock. At a time when all Colombians long for lasting peace, that terrorist act claimed the lives of 20 innocent people and injured more than 60 people. On behalf of France, I would like to reiterate our strongest condemnation of the attack, as expressed by President Macron. The Colombian people can count on the unfailing friendship and solidarity of the French people in this trial and in the face of terrorism. To overcome it, unity must prevail more than ever, including within the Security Council. At this time of sadness and suffering, we must remember the tremendous hope generated by the peace process between the Colombian Government and the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia- Ejercito del Pueblo (FARC-EP) and that, together, we have the responsibility to uphold it. Disarmed, the former FARC-EP guerrillas are now full-fledged political actors, while the former combatants have expressed their desire to regain their rightful place in Colombian society. More than two years after the signing of the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace, three points deserve special attention, in our view. The security situation in former conflict zones in Colombia is emerging as the absolute top priority at the start of this year. In the past two weeks, the murders of at least seven human rights defenders have been confirmed. Make no mistake, that phenomenon, which we have pointed out at previous open Council meetings, is not an accident. It is taking on such proportions that it is clearly a strategy of terror and should be combated as such. We are compelled to conclude that the high level of violence in former conflict-affected areas, which has not spared former FARC-EP combatants, is eroding confidence in the peace process. We welcome the Colombian Government’s initiatives, in particular the action plan for protecting civil-society leaders, human rights defenders and journalists. With departmental and municipal elections coming up in October, we must redouble our efforts. The success of that democratic exercise will depend on the degree of security provided for the women and men willing to make a political commitment to contributing to the vitality of Colombian democracy. The two are inextricably linked. The economic reintegration of former combatants is another priority for 2019. France has regularly encouraged the Colombian authorities to invest in this process so as to give former combatants a genuine chance to reintegrate into Colombian society, and that will unquestionably be the deciding factor in the peace Agreement’s success. In that regard, we hope that long- term solutions will be found for former combatants currently residing in regrouping and reintegration zones. The crucial issue of access to land must not be ignored in the process of economic reintegration. The productive projects currently under way demonstrate the close link between this issue and a sustainable development policy. We encourage the Colombian Government to continue its ongoing steps to ensure the full implementation of the decree adopted in June last year. Lastly, particular attention must be paid to the Special Jurisdiction for Peace. The Colombian peace process has established a unique system of transitional justice based on cooperation with the Jurisdiction by all the parties to the conflict. Only when they cooperate and continue to do so will Colombia be able to shed light on the crimes committed during that period, including those against women, who are often the first victims of violence. In addition to the commitment to cooperation of all parties to the conflict, respect for decisions having the authority of res judicata will also be vital to preserving the legitimacy of that pillar of the peace process. France therefore calls on all political actors, regardless of their affiliation, to reaffirm the independence of the Jurisdiction at every opportunity, as it guarantees legal security for the women and men who have had the courage to lay down their weapons. The Colombian peace process deserves our full admiration and is also a profound source of inspiration for the United Nations and the Council. The United Nations stands resolutely with Colombia in urging it to write a historic new chapter on the establishment of lasting peace for the entire Colombian people. Colombia will always have the fraternal support of France in this decisive period of its history.

We are pleased to see you presiding over the Security Council, Sir, and it is an honour to have you conducting today’s meeting. We also welcome Mr. Carlos Holmes Trujillo García, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia, and Mr. Emilio José Archila, High Counsellor for Post-Conflict, to today’s meeting. I would first like to express my condolences to the families of those killed and injured during the attack on the police academy in Bogotá on 17 January. That heinous crime, which killed and maimed dozens of people, should be thoroughly investigated and its perpetrators duly punished. We would like to express our gratitude to Mr. Jean Arnault, former Special Representative of the Secretary- General for Colombia, for his genuine commitment to the peace process in Colombia. We congratulate Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Special Representative of the Secretary- General and Head of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, on his debut in the Security Council, and thank him for his comprehensive briefing on the Secretary-General’s report (S/2018/1159), which is a reasonably objective reflection of the situation regarding the Colombian parties’ fulfilment of their obligations under the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace. We note the report’s conclusions about the steps taken by Bogotá to stabilize the situation in the country and consolidate public opinion on the Agreement, which has established a reliable legal basis for a settlement and made broad international support possible. It is now important to ensure that its signatories strengthen and develop the progress that has been made in the 16 months of the Verification Mission’s existence. The security of citizens must be a top priority. One task that cannot be put off is preventing and investigating the murders and attacks on civilians, including former combatants. As long as the problem remains unresolved, it will compel people to seek security independently. That trend must be stopped and efforts must be focused on the problem. Needless to say, there is a great deal to be done to create conditions that can enable the people to earn a stable and legal income. Political problems persist. It will also be essential to ensure that the Fuerza Alternativa Revolucionaria del Común is duly represented in Colombia’s Parliament and the independence of the work of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace is guaranteed. In that context, the commitment of President Iván Duque Márquez to the socioeconomic, political and legal reintegration of former combatants, noted in the Secretary-General’s report, is crucial, in our view. We firmly believe that under the leadership of its new Head, the Verification Mission will continue to be of reliable assistance to the Colombians in monitoring the implementation of the peace Agreement by its signatories. The Security Council has often pointed out that Colombia is the poster-child example of how international support can and should be provided, through close cooperation with a host Government in the leading role, and a responsible attitude on the part of the whole of society. It was its citizens’ avowed national ownership and desire to seek a politically sustainable solution that made peace possible in Colombia. In conclusion, I want to again touch on the tragic attack on the police academy. Our position is well known. We are firmly against all terrorist acts, regardless of their aims. It is clear to us that the organizers of the 17 January attack intended to undermine the peace process, and if that leads to incitement, they will achieve their goal. We believe that in their wisdom, the Colombians who struggled for decades to achieve peace will not permit those evil plans to come to fruition and that the peace process will continue. For our part, we will continue to support the people and the Government of Colombia in the work of building a lasting peace and post-conflict development.

We are pleased that you are presiding over today’s meeting, Sir. We thank Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, for his briefing. I also join previous speakers in welcoming Mr. Carlos Holmes Trujillo García, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia, and Mr. Emilio José Archila, High Counsellor for Post-Conflict, to today’s meeting. In my statement, I will focus on three main issues. My first concerns the latest developments in the implementation of the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace. The measures taken by the Colombian Government to promote the implementation of the peace agreement and the plan announced by the High Counsellor for Post-Conflict, entitled “Peace with legality”, are important and vital. The tireless efforts of the Government to support the socioeconomic reintegration process for the former members of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejercito del Pueblo (FARC-EP) and to link that process with the regional development programmes and initiatives launched within the framework of the peace agreement — including rural development, through cooperation with national authorities and United Nations agencies — contribute to the sustainability of the peace process and the promotion of security and stability in Colombia. We underscore the importance of continuing the full reintegration of former members of FARC-EP at the political, legal, social and economic levels, despite the slow progress of this important process to date. With regard to the comprehensive system of truth, justice, reparation and non-repetition, which is a mainstay of transitional justice, we commend the role of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace and other bodies and committees that have recently started to work to achieve full justice. We also urge the Colombian Government to step up its efforts within the framework of the National Comprehensive Programme for the Substitution of Illicit Crops and provide legal and security guarantees for former members of FARC-EP in order to overcome the challenges hindering the implementation of the peace agreement, given the significant challenges facing the Colombian Government in implementing the peace agreement in all its aspects. Secondly, with respect to the security situation, the continued killings, violence and threats against social leaders, human rights defenders and indigenous leaders constitute an obstacle to the implementation of the peace agreement. We strongly condemn the terrorist attack in the Colombian capital on 17 January, which targeted the police academy and resulted in a number of fatalities and injuries. The security repercussions of this incident will undoubtedly affect security and stability in Colombia, and we offer our condolences to the Government and the people of Colombia and the families of the victims. We also commend the national pact for life and for the protection of social leaders and human rights defenders, signed between the Colombian Government, regional authorities and civil society organizations in August 2018, as well as the Action Plan for the Protection of Social and Community Leaders, Human Rights Defenders and Journalists, which was signed by President Duque Márquez in November 2018. The Action Plan is considered to be an important step in building the confidence required to provide security and political conditions conducive to the complete implementation of the peace agreement in all its aspects. Thirdly, we commend the efforts made by the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia through coordination with Government officials, national and regional authorities, the private sector and the international community, as well as by promoting dialogue with organizations and youth leaders at all levels. In conclusion, I thank Mr. Jean Arnault for his efforts during his recently completed tenure as Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Colombia and Head of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia. We reiterate our support for the Colombian peace agreement, which has ended a 50-year conflict and has become a success story to be emulated in resolving other conflicts in the world. We underscore the full support of the Security Council and the international community for the Colombian peace agreement. The State of Kuwait supports the new Special Representative, Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, and all members of his team.

Let me start by conveying to the representative of Colombia the condolences of the German Government and people for the injured and the families of those killed. There is no justification for this heinous attack on innocent people. Of course, we all understand that the Colombian Government has said that enough is enough, but at the same time it must not fall into the trap of any kind of escalation. We believe that there is no alternative to a political process, and in that context I would issue a plea to the National Liberation Army (ELN) to take the first step by releasing all kidnapped persons and detainees. I would also like to do to thank Mr. Jean Arnault for his work, as well as the United Nations team on the ground, and to welcome the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Verification Mission in Columbia, Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, who despite only two weeks on the job has produced a very good and very well received briefing, which is to be expected from a former member of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions. Allow me also to welcome the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia, Mr. Carlos Holmes Trujillo García, and the High Counsellor for Post-Conflict, Mr. Emilio José Archila, whose visit to New York demonstrates their commitment to the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace and to the unity of the Security Council ­— an important unity that has been preserved as reflected in the statements made in the Council today. I also congratulate them on the second anniversary of the peace agreement. Germany welcomes the clear commitment of President Duque Márquez to the peace agreement, the peace process and national reconciliation. The task that faces Colombia now is the consolidation of the peace process, in relation to which I would like to make three points to reiterate what has already been said. First, regarding the security situation, the Special Representative has reported the number of human rights defenders, social leaders, women leaders, women’s rights defenders and indigenous leaders who have been victims of attacks because of their support for the peace agreement or its implementation, in particular land restitution. The protection of people against such attacks, although a difficult task, must be a top priority. Secondly, regarding transitional justice, a very important subject, for which the Special Representative reported the number of cases that have been dealt with, the legal uncertainty of combatants and former combatants is an issue which, if allowed to persist, will be detrimental to the consolidation of the peace process. I would therefore encourage Colombia to increase the capacity of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, Thirdly, regarding the reintegration of former members of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo, progress has been made but more needs to be done. I would like to underline and confirm Germany’s support for traditional justice as a key element of building an inclusive society, which is why we highly appreciate the active engagement of the Peacebuilding Commission and Peacebuilding Fund in this area, and we would like to encourage Colombia to persevere in social and economic integration. In that context, I would like to join the position of France stated earlier with regard to the victims of crimes, a large number of whom are women. I urge Colombia to focus on support women’s issues, in particular the reintegration of female former combatants and the provision of day care for children, as well as the inclusion of youth, which is a critical element for the future without violence that the country is determined to achieve. We know that Colombia faces many challenges, including the implementation of the peace agreement, the hosting of more than 1 million refugees from Venezuela and the illegal trafficking of drugs. We wish to assure Colombia that it can count on the support of the international community and the Security Council.

I thank you, Mr. President, for calling today’s meeting and welcome you to New York. I also welcome Foreign Minister Trujillo García to the Security Council. Finally, I thank Special Representative Ruiz Massieu for his briefing. China strongly condemns the recent terrorist attack in Bogotá. We convey our deepest condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families and those injured in the attack. The Colombia peace process continues to advance. The Colombian Government has carried out a comprehensive assessment of the situation in the country and seeks consensus among all parties in Colombia with regard to the revision of the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace. Thanks to the joint efforts of the Government and relevant parties, the national security situation in general has been stable, with State institutions being restored, economic recovery under way and the peace process bearing fruit. China welcomes those developments. While the overall situation in Colombia is stabilizing and improving, the security situation in some parts of the country remains fragile. In addition, Colombia has the daunting tasks of fully implementing the peace agreement, reintegrating ex-combatants, fighting organized crime and realizing social and economic development. Some time ago, Colombia commemorated the second anniversary of the peace agreement. We hope that all parties in Colombia will cherish the hard- won peace process, further solidify consensus, meet each other halfway and resolve their differences by continuing the inclusive dialogue and negotiations. The Security Council should respect the leadership of the Government and the people of Colombia, and provide constructive assistance to advance the Colombian peace process. China welcomes the appointment by Secretary- General Guterres of Mr. Ruiz Massieu as the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Colombia. China commends former Special Representative Arnault for his work. We hope that Special Representative Ruiz Massieu and the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia will continue to help the Colombian Government address the issues of reintegrating former combatants and achieving security in conflict areas in a bid to promote mutual trust among all Colombian parties and actively implement the peace process. China joins other members of the Security Council in supporting the work of Special Representative Ruiz Massieu and the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia to fulfil their mandates — advancing the Colombian peace process and contributing to the early realization of comprehensive peace and stability in Colombia.

I, too, would like to congratulate Special Representative Carlos Ruiz Massieu on his new role and thank him for his briefing. I also thank his predecessor, Jean Arnault, for his considerable contribution to the peace process. Finally, I welcome the presence of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia and express the sympathy and condolences of the Belgian Government following last week’s attack against a police academy in Bogotá. We condemn that attack in the strongest terms. The year 2019 is crucial for peacebuilding in Colombia. In that regard, I would like to highlight three points — first, the Colombian Government’s commitment to the peace process; secondly, the unacceptable violence towards human rights defenders and local leaders; and, thirdly, the socioeconomic and legal reintegration of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP). At the outset, Belgium welcomes the new Government’s commitment to the peace process as demonstrated by the “Peace with legality” plan, which recognizes that rural poverty and inequalities are the root causes of the conflict. Today more than ever, after last week’s cowardly attack, the implementation on the part of all parties of the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace is essential in the framework of an urgent, inclusive and concerted effort to advance the peace process throughout the country. In that regard, Belgium calls for the implementation of the affirmative action policies contained in the agreements on the role of women. My second point has to do with human rights. Belgium is very concerned about violence against human rights defenders and social leaders, too often committed with total impunity. In 2018, a human rights defender or leader was murdered, on average, every 48 hours. January is not yet over and already seven people have been killed, as indicated by the Special Representative. In that connection, the implementation of the action plan for their protection, in consultation with civil society, is key. We welcome the recent convening of the National Commission for Security Guarantees. Violence against former FARC-EP combatants is also a source of concern. We strongly encourage the Colombian authorities to consolidate the State’s presence throughout its territory, not only in order to ensure security but also to promote social programmes that focus on health care and education so as to meet the expectations of rural communities and historically marginalized ethnic minorities, in accordance with the recommendations of Special Rapporteur Michel Forst. Finally, with regard to the socioeconomic and legal reintegration of the FARC-EP, Belgium believes reintegration to be a key element in the successful implementation of the peace agreement and underscores the need to make progress at the national, regional and local levels. Even as we ensure transitional justice, we must show ex-combatants, who have laid down their weapons, that it is in their interest to be on the right side of history. Access to legal revenue sources and to land is at the heart of effective reintegration. In that context, Belgium is pleased to note that illegal-crop-substitution policies continue and have been successful. Belgium underlines the central role of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, which must have the necessary means to be able to carry out its mandate independently. Further progress must be made in ensuring legal protection for former FARC-EP members. (spoke in Spanish) Before I conclude, I would like to make some remarks to the representative of Colombia. His country serves as an inspiration throughout the world. Regions affected by conflict see his country as a model to overcome the past and to choose to build a peaceful future. The coming year will require a concerted effort on the part of the Government, the political parties and civil society to reap the benefits of the peace agreement with the FARC-EP. Last week’s atrocious terrorist attack reminds us of the urgent need for action. Belgium recognizes that the situation in Venezuela has an extremely negative impact on neighbouring countries. As such, we commend Colombia for its show of solidarity towards Venezuelans who seek refuge. We cannot let this historic opportunity pass us by. Belgium, along with the other members of the Council, is fully committed and ready to collaborate.

We are honoured to have you, Mr. President, presiding over this important meeting, giving our friend Mr. José Singer Weisinger a bit of a break. I think he deserves a break. We are also honoured by the presence of the Foreign Minister of Colombia, His Excellency Mr. Carlos Trujillo García, and his delegation, as well as the Foreign Minister of Indonesia, Mrs. Retno Marsudi. We welcome the extensive and informative briefing by Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia. We furthermore acknowledge the role played by Cuba and Norway, as the guarantors and facilitators of the Colombian peace process. At the outset, South Africa extends its deepest condolences to the Government of Colombia and its people following the attack that claimed more than 20 lives in Bogotá last week and injured many more. We condemn, in the strongest terms possible, this senseless violence, which must not be allowed to threaten and derail the hard-won and significant achievements of the peace process in Colombia. Notwithstanding that regrettable and tragic incident, South Africa welcomes the report (S/2018/1159) of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, which conveys a generally positive view of progress in achieving lasting peace in the country. However, the report also notes the killing of social leaders and human rights defenders, which is a major concern and presents an ongoing challenge. In addressing those challenges, South Africa would like to emphasize, based on our experience, the importance of working to expand the State’s presence throughout its territory, which is particularly necessary in areas that have been affected by conflict and vacated by former combatants. It will also help to resolve the sensitive land question and restore much-needed basic services to all, including combatants who have surrendered and their families. As Colombia commemorates the third anniversary of the 2016 Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace, it is important that we recognize and commend the Government of Colombia, led by President Duque Márquez, for its significant efforts in encouraging dialogue and the implementation of the peace agreement. We take note, inter alia, of the Government’s launching in 2019 of its “Peace with legality” plan, which aims to provide concrete solutions to potential obstacles to the peace process. South Africa also expresses its full support for Colombia’s Commission on Truth, Coexistence and Non-repetition, known as the Truth Commission. Our very own Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa, as painful and imperfect as it may have been, was invaluable in allowing our people to confront our painful history and deal with the deep wounds that had divided us for a long time. Therefore, in order to foster healing, it is important that Colombia’s justice process, embodied in its Special Jurisdiction for Peace, receive the full support and cooperation of all the parties involved. Its independence and autonomy, as well as the judgments it arrives at, also need to be fully respected. Furthermore, as pointed out by the Secretary- General in his most recent report, it is critical that the reintegration process in Colombia involve efforts to empower local communities, in close collaboration with the private sector, universities and other stakeholders, such as civil society organizations, women, victims of violence and ethnic or indigenous peoples. On this point it is important to recognize the important pioneering efforts and achievements of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia in working specifically to address youth in the peace process. As the country’s future leaders, its youth and their futures are critical to the success of the peace process in Colombia. That pioneering work by the United Nations Verification Mission should serve as an important example for other peace missions. South Africa also commends the efforts of regional bodies, such as the Organization of American States (OAS), particularly through its Mission to Support of the Peace Process in Colombia, led by Mr. Roberto Menéndez. We encourage greater coordination between the United Nations efforts and those of the OAS. As has been mentioned, the transition that Colombia is undergoing bears many similarities with the experiences of South Africa. Following the end of apartheid, South Africa’s fledgling democracy had to deal with similarly complex challenges, including reforming the security sector, demobilizing and reintegrating former combatants, processes related to truth and reconciliation, as well as justice. Peace is expensive. Peace is complex. Making peace is a difficult, yet necessary, undertaking. Patience is needed. Respect and equal treatment for all is required. Certainty about the common future must be spelled out. Justice must be applied fairly to everyone. Inter-Colombian dialogue is the way to go. Neighbours should give the Colombian people a chance to deal with the painful past to heal, to deal with mistrust, to bond together and to move together. Democracy needs compromises. Democracy needs accommodation. Work together with former combatants. Do not demonize them. As always, South Africa remains ready and willing to share the small experiences and lessons that it learned through those difficult processes, in the hope that Colombia and its people might find lasting peace and prosperity.

It is a pleasure for our delegation to have you, Minister Miguel Vargas Maldonado, presiding over this briefing of the Security Council on Colombia. Our delegation expresses its heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu for his recent appointment as Special Envoy of the Secretary- General and Head of the United Nations Verification in Colombia. We also thank him for the very informative briefing he just provided, despite the very short time that he has been leading the Verification Mission. We would like to express to him our hope that his high level of training and accumulated experience will serve as his guide in carrying out this new, challenging and very sensitive responsibility to the best of his abilities. We wish him every success. We also would like to pay tribute to his predecessor, Mr. Arnault, for his excellent work. We welcome the presence of His Excellency Mr. Carlos Holmes Trujillo García, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia, and thank him for joining us today. We wish him a pleasant stay in New York. We also reiterate our appreciation for the presence of Her Excellency Mrs. Retno Marsudi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, who has been with us since yesterday, in the debate on the Middle East (see S/PV.8449) and today’s discussion on Colombia. The Republic of Equatorial Guinea strongly condemns the treacherous terrorist act perpetrated by the National Liberation Army (ELN) against the police academy in Bogotá on 17 January, with deadly results and leaving many wounded. We express our total condemnation of such terrorist acts. We join with the Government of Colombia and the families of the victims with the profound hope that the perpetrators will be identified and brought to justice. Our delegation expresses its satisfaction and admiration for the spirit of willingness, devotion and dedication of His Excellency Mr. Iván Duque Márquez, President of the Republic of Colombia, who in the short period of his presidency has already begun to promote important initiatives to advance the peace process in Colombia. His visit on 12 October to one of the most important territorial areas for training and reintegration, in Pondores, whose purpose was to affirm his Government’s intention to support the peace agreement and those committed to returning to civilian life, shows, with this act of supreme political will, his direct involvement in this Governmental task. We welcome the Government’s “Peace with legality” plan, presented in mid-December, which aims to cover and stabilize further areas affected by the conflict and is focused on eradicating the violence that has been endured for decades. We believe it to be a very credible project, considering the damage that criminality — in the form of murders, drug trafficking and human rights violations — has caused in Colombia. It is important that the plan be duly supported, given its comprehensive nature, which includes multiple initiatives within and outside the scope of the peace agreement, and that this will for peace be translated into tangible achievements on the ground. We welcome the inauguration, at the end of 2018, of the Commission on Truth, Coexistence and Non-repetition, designed to promote understanding of the events that took place during the armed conflict, recognition of responsibilities and reconciliation. We believe that, with the support of the Government and other institutions, the Commission should be able to operate in accordance with the powers conferred on it by law. We regret the 4 October incident in which investigators from the office of the Attorney General forcibly entered the premises of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace. We understand that all entities created to facilitate the peace process enjoy powers conferred by law and that the recruitment of operational personnel also follows a legal procedure, which is why their offices must enjoy full autonomy if the exercise of their functions is to be guaranteed. We cannot end our statement without expressing our concern about the growing distance between the new Government and the National Liberation Army. The truth be told, the ELN must refrain from attacking the civilian population and consider the possibility of handing over hostages, which would make a significant contribution to future negotiations, and it would also have a significant impact on the population. In conclusion, our delegation would, on the one hand, like to express its recognition and appreciation for the continued significant support that the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia and the United Nations agencies in the country have dedicated to encouraging the Colombian peace process. On the other hand, we urge the Government, as well as other political institutions of the State, the political parties, civil society and the population in general, to take the greatest advantage possible of the work of the United Nations for the reconstruction of Colombia. Finally, we express the hope that the local elections scheduled for next October will be held in a climate of calm and peace and free from all types of violence.

My delegation welcomes today’s briefing on the review of the peace process in Colombia. WE would also like to welcome the presence at this meeting of His Excellency Mr. Carlos Holmes Trujillo García, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Colombia. His presence is a good illustration of the Colombian Government’s commitment to working towards the success of the ongoing peace process. My delegation also congratulates Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, on his informative briefing and wishes him every success in his new position. My delegation notes, in the light of the latest report of the Secretary-General (S/2018/1159), that significant progress has been made in the implementation of the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace, signed between the Government of Colombia and the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP). The report sets forth observations on the tangible results of the peace process, the challenges ahead and the critical role of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia. With regard to the tangible results of the peace process, my delegation welcomes the combination of the political will shown by the Colombian authorities with the commitment of the other stakeholders in the process, which has enabled the progress unanimously recognized by the international community. This combination of actions by all actors in the peace process has made it possible to move from a rationale of conflict to one of peace. Accordingly, after several decades of conflict, Colombia held its first peaceful and inclusive elections, which saw the participation of the FARC-EP, now transformed into a political party, the Fuerza Alternativa Revolucionaria del Común (FARC). In the same vein, the legal framework to promote the implementation of the Peace Agreement and transitional-justice institutions have been put in place. My delegation welcomes the determination of the new authorities to pursue the peace process through concrete actions, including the implementation of the “Peace with legality” plan, aimed at eradicating violence in conflict-affected areas, promoting rural development and launching a new anti-drug policy. We also welcome the preparation and presentation of draft laws on peace, the regular holding of hearings of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, the commencement of the work of the Truth Commission and the resumption of the work of the National Reintegration Council to promote income-generating activities. We furthermore welcome the progress made in political reintegration. Indeed, the FARC effectively occupies the five seats granted to it in the Colombian Congress, and arrangements are under way to enable it to take part in the 2019 regional and local elections. Côte d’Ivoire welcomes all those encouraging developments and urges the Colombian authorities to continue their efforts to address all the challenges related to peacebuilding. In that regard, we call for a synergy of actions among the Government, State institutions, political parties, civil society and the private sector, with the support of the international community. Côte d’Ivoire is of the opinion that the general aspiration for peace deserves to be strengthened and protected from any action that could affect the valuable achievements of the peace process. We therefore strongly condemn the heinous attack on the police academy in Bogotá on 17 January, which caused approximately 20 deaths and many injuries. We offer our condolences to the grieving families and our wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured. My country calls on the National Liberation Army to renounce all armed action and resolutely join the peace and reconciliation process. With regard to the challenges ahead, Côte d’Ivoire believes that the implementation of the peace agreement requires a systematic approach and sustained efforts by all stakeholders and the international community to promote security, economic reintegration and justice. With respect to security issues, my delegation condemns the ongoing attacks on social leaders and human rights defenders. Similarly, it remains concerned about the increasing activities of illegal groups and criminal organizations, the growing illegal economy and the taking up of arms again by some FARC members, frustrated by the slow pace of the peace process. In that context, the challenge of economic reintegration, which is at the heart of the peace process, deserves particular attention. In that regard, my delegation welcomes the increase in the number of approved income-generating projects to a total of 20 to date. However, it believes that the difficulties in former combatants accessing such opportunities for economic reintegration remain an obstacle to the peace process. My delegation therefore urges the Government, with the support of the international community, to increase measures to strengthen the technical capacity of cooperatives, access to land and markets and the fight against corruption and to take into account the gender dimension to promote the empowerment of women. My delegation also encourages the Colombian authorities to redouble their efforts to ensure the continuity of basic services, in particular health, education, water and electricity services in the most remote rural areas. In the area of justice, my delegation encourages the Government to continue its efforts to facilitate the smooth functioning of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace and to provide adequate responses to outstanding issues regarding legal guarantees. To address all those challenges, Côte d’Ivoire urges the political authorities, the Colombian institutions and all other stakeholders to persevere in their efforts to build trust and to promote reconciliation among all Colombians in order to ensure the success of the peace process. With regard to the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, my country would like to acknowledge the key role played by the Mission in Colombia, in conjunction with the United Nations country team and the various partners. My delegation particularly welcomes its commitment to peacebuilding and issues related to gender, child protection and ethnic and cultural integration. In conclusion, Côte d’Ivoire assures the Colombian authorities of its full support in their determination to work for the success of the peace and reconciliation process. In addition, we recall the need for the Council to continue to support the Government’s peace and reconciliation efforts.

It is an honour to see you, Mr. President, in the Chamber today. Allow me also to warmly welcome His Excellency Mr. Carlos Holmes Trujillo García, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Colombia. We are also pleased to see among us Her Excellency Mrs. Retno Marsudi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, who was present with us yesterday, as well. Let me thank Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu for his first briefing to the Council in his new capacity as Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Colombia. We assure him of our full support. Let me also thank Mr. Jean Arnault, whose dedication was crucial to the success of the peace process from the very first moment before we could even think about a United Nations mission in Colombia. The peace process remains an undeniable success of Columbian society and serves as a source of inspiration worldwide, sending a much-needed positive message. We hope that the process of its implementation will continue despite some difficulties. That said, we are obliged to underline the urgent need to address the killings of social leaders and human rights defenders and to ensure meaningful engagement with civil society, particularly through the National Commission on Security Guarantees, so that plans are directed where most needed. That will also be critical to ensuring peaceful local elections, which are scheduled to take place in October. We encourage all parties to support the extremely important work of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace in its role in promoting access to justice and national reconciliation in Colombia. We also stress the need to preserve the independence and autonomy of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace and the other transitional justice mechanisms. According to reports, the challenges ahead remain formidable in that area. There is a need for clarity on the sustainability of the reincorporation process of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejercito del Pueblo (FARC-EP) as soon as possible. The full political, legal and socioeconomic reintegration of the former FARC- EP members is needed. We strongly believe that the issue of land ownership must be properly addressed, as it is at the heart of effective reintegration. The issue of illicit coca crops remains one of the most threatening to the peace process in some regions of the country. According to reports of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, almost 100,000 families have signed up for the National Comprehensive Programme for the Substitution of Illicit Crops. Since the voluntary eradication rate remains high, it will be critical to ensure that the commitments to those families are upheld. External factors are also influencing the process. We must remain vigilant and aware that the spillover effects from the massive influx of people from neighbouring Venezuela could have adverse consequences for Colombia’s efforts. Unfortunately, only a few days ago, we were all shaken by the information about the heinous terrorist attack on the National Police Academy in Bogotá, which left several fatalities and dozens injured. Poland expresses its deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims and their families, as well as to the people and the Government of Colombia. Poland strongly condemns terrorism in all its forms, underlining that any acts of terrorism are criminal. It is of the utmost importance to bring the perpetrators to justice. Given the evidence presented by the Colombian Government, which identifies the National Liberation Army (ELN) as the instigator of that terrorist attack, Poland urges the ELN to renounce terrorism and immediately and unconditionally release all hostages. We support all measures announced by President Duque in his recent message to the nation and his willingness to continue to support the Colombian people in their peace efforts. In conclusion, Poland fully supports the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, which continues to play a vital role in facilitating the implementation of the peace agreement. We also commend the role of the United Nations country team and every United Nations agency present on the ground.

I would like once again to congratulate you, Mr. Minister, on the Dominican Republic’s presidency of the Security Council. I am very glad to see you again. I thank Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu for his briefing and congratulate him on his appointment. Let me also welcome His Excellency Mr. Carlos Holmes Trujillo García, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia. Allow me to convey Indonesia’s deepest condolences to the people and the Government of Colombia following the terrorist attack in Bogotá last week. We condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. The recent bombing shows the complexity of challenges faced by Colombia. Indonesia is confident that that will not deter Colombia’s strong commitment to making further strides towards peace and stability. Indonesia is privileged to have been part of Colombia’s endeavour. In 2015, at the request of Colombia’s Government, I led a high-level delegation to Bogotá to share Indonesia’s experiences in ending its 29-year conflict with the Free Aceh Movement. Indonesia was therefore very happy when, in 2016, the Colombian Government and the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejercito del Pueblo (FARC-EP) signed the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace, which provides important guidelines and sets out the path towards peace and reconciliation. Its full implementation by all parties will provide lasting peace, stability and prosperity. From our own experiences, we know that healing wounds and staying true to an agreement have never been easy and require the commitment, patience and understanding of all parties and the support of the international community. Allow me to highlight some key issues with regard to the briefing. First, effective reintegration is key: it is a highly complex and sensitive challenge and requires sustained nurturing. Moreover, while political reintegration is critical, socioeconomic reintegration is equally important. Ensuring the livelihood of the population is vital: everyone must be able to enjoy the peace dividend. We therefore welcome the strong efforts of President Duque Márquez to accelerate the socioeconomic reintegration of former members of FARC-EP. Indonesia stands ready to contribute, in particular to provide support for demobilization, disarmament and reintegration, including the conversion of coca fields into more productive commodities, such as palm oil, rubber or cacao. Last December, Indonesia and Colombia initiated a programme entitled “Oil palms for peace”. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Colombia this year and expanding the programme into a second phase entitled “Crops for peace”. Secondly, security challenges must be addressed. We note from the Secretary-General’s report (S/2018/1159) that illegal armed groups and criminal organizations still persist, which has allowed violence to occur in areas that were previously under FARC-EP control. We are also concerned about the assassination of former FARC-EP members, social leaders and human rights defenders by those illegal armed groups. We have learned from our own experience that law enforcement must be accompanied by respect for human rights. Otherwise, order and security, as well as mutual trust and confidence, will be hard to attain. We therefore welcome the adoption by the Colombian Government of the Action Plan for the Protection of Social and Community Leaders, Human Rights Defenders and Journalists, which we trust will be implemented in an effective and consistent manner. In that context, Indonesia stands ready to extend our support to the Government and the good people of Colombia. Thirdly, commitments made must be honoured by all sides. The ultimate success of the peace process will depend upon all parties involved respecting their commitments. Colombia has embarked upon a historic journey towards peace. It must stay on course. All parties must continue to play their parts. At stake is the welfare of the people of Colombia, who long for peace. The unity of the Security Council is of vital importance so that it may work closely with the Colombian Government and a stable and lasting peace will not be beyond reach.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic. First, I would like to thank Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu for his excellent briefing. I am also pleased to welcome His Excellency Mr. Carlos Holmes Trujillo, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia, whose presence demonstrates the high degree of commitment of the Colombian authorities to every detail of this process. I would also like to welcome Her Excellency Mrs. Retno Marsudi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, and to acknowledge the work of Mr. Jean Arnault, former Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Columbia/Head of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia. We take this opportunity to reiterate the interest of the Dominican Republic in, and support for, the peace process in Colombia, and would like to express our condemnation of the very serious terrorist attack perpetrated last week against the police academy in Bogotá, as well as our solidarity with the families of the victims and the Colombian people. Since the establishment of the Verification Mission, we have contributed Dominican human resources to form part of the team of experts involved its work, and today we continue to be committed to the success of the initiatives launched under the historic peace agreement between the Colombian Government and the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejercito del Pueblo (FARC-EP). On the occasion of its second anniversary, there is no question that the peace process has shown tangible progress. We commend the efforts of the Government of President Iván Duque Márquez to reach a national consensus on the path to be followed, which is clearly seen as a new phase. The second anniversary of the signing of the peace agreement on 24 November provided a space for reflection on its achievements, which have already transformed Colombian society, as well as the road that must still be travelled to achieve a sustainable and irreversible peace. Much has been achieved in those two years: a definitive ceasefire between the Government and the FARC-EP, the laying down of weapons, a significant reduction in the levels of violence and the beginning of a new national political dynamic. However, a conflict that lasted so long and is so deeply rooted also requires comprehensive and sustained measures to bring about genuine reconciliation among all parties. That is why we welcome the implementation of the work of the Commission on Truth, Coexistence and Non-Repetition. We urge the Government of President Duque Márquez to continue its determined efforts to unite Colombian society. The holding of regional and local elections this year, with the participation for the first time of the Fuerza Alternativa Revolucionaria del Común party, will be a very important step on the road to the consolidation of the political process that underpins this broad national agreement. A peaceful and inclusive process, in which the rights of the entire population are fully respected, will demonstrate the importance of the political dimension of the peace agreement and its transformative effect. We are aware that the consolidation of peace will depend on the transformative economic development of the whole country. We note as positive the steps taken to effectively link development programmes with a territorial focus, together with voluntary crop-substitution programmes, and more broadly to link those programmes with initiatives to promote rural development, which are all important for reintegration and especially critical for the well-being of citizens in areas previously affected by instability and violence.
We cannot avoid noting that this is an exemplary process that shines a light for us to follow at a time when other conflicts in the world seem to be becoming more entrenched and long-lasting. The experiences and lessons learned we are discussing here today can in many ways serve as models for the efforts of the Security Council to promote and support transitions from armed conflict to political processes. Two years after the signing of the peace agreement, we commend the presentation by the High Counsellor for Post-Conflict, Mr. Emilio José Archila Peñalosa, of the policy entitled “Peace with legality” as a clear indication of the will to consolidate the achievement of peace with a consistent vision of the future. That milestone marks the transition to a new phase of the process in Colombia. We welcome the plan’s objective, which consists of stabilizing the areas most affected by the conflict and eradicating violence from the places that have endured it for decades. It is a long-term cross- cutting policy anchored in the principles of justice and national security, which involves the coordination of development initiatives, reintegration, voluntary substitution and a commitment to the victims. We welcome the efforts undertaken by the Agency for Reintegration and Normalization of Colombia to reduce inequalities observed within the 24 territorial areas for training and reintegration and indicated by the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia. It is crucial that ex-combatants enjoy equal opportunities in this process. In that connection, we note President Duque’s visit, on 12 October, to one of those areas, which shows that the authorities are committed to the process. As President Duque pointed out during his visit, the international community must maintain its support for reintegration projects in order to increase their viability. The territorial areas for training and reintegration and the monthly stipend granted to ex- combatants are scheduled to continue until 15 August 2019. We trust that any decision regarding the continuance of those measures beyond that date will be based on an assessment of their positive effects thus far, the challenges that remain and respect for the views of all parties. It is essential that projects aimed at the reintegration of ex-combatants and other initiatives launched within the framework of the peace agreement be sustainable. The success of the process is intimately linked to the ability of any Colombian citizens committed to peace to improve their living conditions and economic prospects. We also welcome the measures taken by the Government to strengthen the institutional and legal basis for those processes. We also encourage an open line of communication among the main actors responsible for initiatives within the Government, with a view to achieving more effective results, starting with the splitting up of competencies and responsibilities. It is critical to consider the gender provisions of the peace agreement, particularly the issue of women’s reintegration and security guarantees. We share the concerns expressed by the international verification component for gender established in the peace agreement, and we welcome the commitment of the Vice-President of Colombia, who undertook to examine that report. We welcome the adoption by the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia of a strategy for the implementation of resolutions 2250 (2015) and 2419 (2018), with a focus on the role of young people in reintegration and security guarantees. It is formal recognition of the role of youth in promoting peace. We welcome President Duque’s signing by decree in November of the Action Plan for the Protection of Social and Community Leaders, Human Rights Defenders and Journalists. The development and promulgation of the plan reflects the attention given by the authorities to the concerns of the Verification Mission about the high number of leaders murdered since the signing of the peace agreement in November 2016 and the continuation of the violence to date. One of the benefits of the peace process should be the restoration of the rule of law and security for all citizens throughout Colombia. The achievement of that objective and the definitive reduction of insecurity will depend on the effective implementation of the plan. Security guarantees should be extended, under the terms of the agreement, to former FARC-EP members. We recognize the work carried out by the Colombian Government in that regard and see the preparation of a security plan for ex-combatants in the face of the upcoming state and local elections as a step forward. With regard to the dialogue between the Government and the National Liberation Army, we recognize the current obstacles. However, we urge both parties to consider the possible reinitiation of peace negotiations with the necessary flexibility to achieve the desired objective. The achievements of the process that led to the signing of the peace agreement between the FARC-EP and the Colombian Government confirm the possibility of conflict resolution through negotiations on the basis of trust between the actors. In conclusion, I would like to emphasize four points. First, we reiterate our support for and recognition of the work of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia. Secondly, we stress the importance of maintaining the commitment of all parties involved to the successful implementation of a complex and delicate process that is still beset by controversy in some of its phases. Thirdly, the support of the United Nations Verification Mission will remain essential for some time, given that it is the greatest guarantee that the international community will fully support an agreement that required the investment of so much effort and sacrifice. Finally, Colombia can count on the solidarity of the Dominican Republic throughout the process to achieve lasting peace. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I give the floor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia.

I must begin my remarks by thanking everyone for the unanimous expression of condolences and solidarity following the recent heinous terrorist attack in Bogotá, which resulted in more than 20 deaths and left close to 70 injured. I thank Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas Maldonado for presiding over this informative meeting. I congratulate the Dominican Republic, Belgium, Germany, Indonesia, whose Minister for Foreign Affairs is with here with us, and South Africa on their election to serve as non-permanent members of the Security Council. I also convey my Government’s appreciation of Mr. Jean Arnault for his work at the helm of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, and I once again welcome Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General, with whom I had an opportunity to meet in Bogotá, along with President Iván Duque and Mr. Emilio Archila Peñalosa, High Counsellor for Post-Conflict, who is with me today. We welcome the fact that the report (S/2018/1159) recognizes that the first 100 days of President Duque’s Administration witnessed his explicit commitment to the implementation of the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace within the framework of his Government’s agenda. With regard to the initiatives that have been submitted to the Congress of Colombia, we must specify that, as set out in the “Peace with legality” policy, which was put in place last December, all adjustments to the regulatory framework adopted under the agreement — namely, that henceforth neither drug trafficking nor kidnapping will be recognized as crimes related to political crimes and that the treatment of sexual crimes committed against minors will be reviewed — have been openly proposed as legislative acts so that they will have an effect on the future. On the path to implementation, the Government of President Duque has reiterated its commitment to overcoming obstacles and correcting the problems it has encountered. We are doing so with a long-term perspective to eliminate the conditions that have protected many forms of violence throughout our history, based on the coordination of different State agencies and prioritizing victims’ rights and the legitimate expectations of those who remain within the legal framework, while honouring in good faith the commitments undertaken. Allow me to highlight some concrete examples of this commitment. With the active participation of senators and representatives belonging to the political party that emerged from the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of the former illegal armed group, the Congress of Colombia is discussing various initiatives related to the agenda of the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace, including the reforms that I already mentioned. We proposed those initiatives so that they will be in force in the future with a view to broadening the national consensus necessary to ensure that the implementation of the Final Agreement is politically and socially sustainable. At the same time, the Government obtained credit to finance the first stage of the Multipurpose Cadaster Project. The first phase will be focused on approximately 70 of the country’s municipalities, of which 50 per cent belong to those marked as priorities within the development programmes with a territorial focus. Within the framework of the “Peace with legality” policy, we will take advantage of all available tools, such as the development programmes with a territorial focus, the implementation of which involves 11,000 villages of 170 municipalities and will benefit nearly 7 million people. In that, too, we can see tangible progress in the social and economic reintegration of former combatants of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia- Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP). Since September 2018, the Government of President Duque Márquez has been working closely with representatives of the Fuerza Alternativa Revolucionaria del Común (FARC) to focus the efforts of the body responsible for the follow-up to the reintegration process on its role as a high-level executive and strategic body with the aim of adopting a road map in line with its responsibilities. As indicated in the Secretary-General’s report, 20 collective projects and 29 individual income-generating projects, valued at $3.7 million, have been approved, which will benefit 1,340 ex-combatants, including 366 women. In line with this new momentum, the departments have established departmental reintegration boards, with very positive effects. The Government believes that one of its functions is to create the right conditions and provide leadership, so that the international community and the private sector are actively involved in reintegration. When that is achieved, one cannot, obviously, believe that the projects developed with that support are a failure on the part of the State, but rather an achievement of the Government. Although we agree that land may not have been released as quickly as possible by the previous Administration, it is relevant and worth mentioning that a number of productive projects have been sustainably realized with access to land in the form of leases, thanks to the technical, commercial and financial support of many entities that we have asked to strengthen the development of those projects, such as iNNpulsa, which is the Government entity that provides expertise in economic projects and that falls under the umbrella of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism. Along the same lines — and undoubtedly because of the dates on which the information was collected, it was not possible to indicate this in the report — the Government, through a great effort, headed by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, carried out a judicious study of needs and ensured health coverage in the transitional areas for training and reintegration under better conditions than those that had been carried out up until August of 2018. In addition, and in developing a project that had been going on for some time and that the Verification Mission was aware of, the Government managed to extend food distribution until August 2019. Lastly, the full activation of the Comprehensive System of Truth, Justice, Reparation and Non-Repetition, with the beginning of Truth Commission’s work last November, is of great importance. On 16 January, in commemoration of its first year of operation, the Special Jurisdiction for Peace reported a positive balance: 11,675 people had signed agreements subjecting themselves to the authority of the Jurisdiction, of which 9,687 were former members of the FARC-EP and 1,938 were members of the public security forces. The Government shares the expectations of all Colombians with regard to transitional justice — it hopes that its credibility will be strengthened and, in doing so, its functioning will be enhanced, in accordance with the mandate of each of its components and with Colombia’s commitments under international law. The Government of President Duque Márquez attaches the utmost importance to ensuring the safety of ex-combatants, their leaders and the leaders of voluntary crop substitution programmes. In that regard, we agree with the value that the report places on the effort that the Government has made, the plausible results and the expectation that we are already working on a protection plan for the local elections to be held in October. The Government of Colombia condemns without hesitation unacceptable acts that affect social leaders and defenders, which are linked to factors such as the intensification of competition for the domination and control of different criminal economies, the stabilization of the areas in which the FARC-EP guerrillas formerly exerted its influence, the unprecedented increase in illicit crops and the ongoing activity of various kinds of illegal armed groups. The Office of the Attorney General has been working to strengthen investigative processes and has shed light on 53.36 per cent of cases to date. By adopting, in November 2018, the Action Plan for the Protection of Social and Community Leaders, Human Rights Defenders and Journalists, we further strengthened the State’s capacity to implement effective measures for the prevention, protection and punishment of these crimes. With regard to legal guarantees for former FARC- EP combatants, I would also mention that, during this period, the Office of the High Commissioner for Peace has been resolving incidents related to the transition to legality. The report also highlights the very difficult situation that we inherited with regard to the increase in illicit crops in Colombia. In that context, we share the report’s assessment that reducing violence and insecurity is inextricably linked to success in combating illegal economic activity, especially drug trafficking, which is of particular importance. We will spare no effort to continue to tackle the world drug problem firmly, in a comprehensive and balanced manner, in all its dimensions and in all the links in the chain. Accordingly, we are intensifying our efforts and adopting a new policy to effectively address all the relevant issues. Beyond that, we claim the importance of the principle of shared responsibility as the basis for the international collective action needed to confront the world drug problem. This has been demonstrated by the eradication of 30,262 hectares of illicit crops between 7 August and 26 December 2018. In this context, we hope that, with the adjustments made to the “Peace with legality” stabilization policy and the National Comprehensive Programme for the Substitution of Illicit Crops, with the various initiatives that will be implemented, will have a sustainable effect over time. We agree with the Secretary-General that the main challenge today is to achieve the effective implementation of plans and programmes designed to provide the most vulnerable communities, victims and former FARC-EP members with greater security, better access to public goods and services, and viable alternatives to criminal economies. In accordance with the relevance that the Government gives to the issue, the Vice-President of the Republic and the High Counsellor for Post-Conflict received a first report from the international verification component for gender in November, in which the Government’s high-level forum on gender had already been cited. The session of the forum was held on 16 January 2019, at which the guidelines that its president, the High Counsellor for Post-Conflict, presented, were approved, with the decisive participation of the Presidential Counsellor for Equity for Women. At the same time, the gender technical group of the National Reintegration Council has continued to be relevant in promoting comprehensive reintegration. The monitoring, support and facilitation role of the United Nations is of great importance in verifying the effective implementation of the Final Agreement and the fulfilment of the commitments made. We believe that these activities should take place within the mandate received and with the understanding that it is the National Government of Colombia that must lead all fronts of implementation and that the most valuable way to contribute is to coordinate the work with the “Peace with legality” plan and the developments that will come from it, many of which will have to engage at local levels. We highly value the contribution of the Verification Mission to the realization of this shared purpose, and we hope to maintain a constructive and trusting relationship with it, within the terms of its mandate and of our Constitution and our laws.

I now give the floor to the representative of Cuba.

We are pleased to see you presiding over this meeting of the Security Council, Mr. President. We welcome His Excellency Mr. Carlos Holmes Trujillo García, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia, and the delegation that is accompanying him. We also welcome the presence of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, Her Excellency Mrs. Retno Marzudi. We thank Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, for his briefing, and we reiterate Cuba’s ongoing support for his work, while also paying tribute to his predecessor, Mr. Jean Arnault, for the important work he accomplished. Cuba is committed to the peace process in Colombia. We have contributed for decades to the various efforts made to that end in the country. The Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace was a historic event that allowed the reinsertion into society of thousands of guerrilla fighters who for more than 50 years opposed the Colombian State. The implementation of the final agreement signed between the Colombian State and the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia- Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP) in its entirety is vital. Although important progress has been made, there have been considerable delays in the implementation of other important components of the Agreement, including those related to political participation, the agrarian question, legal and legislative actions and such aspects as the lack of security in the most vulnerable areas and the slow process of socioeconomic reintegration of former combatants. It is particularly worrying that attempts are being made to modify essential aspects of what was agreed in good faith in terms of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace. It would be regrettable if years of complex negotiations were not recognized. Failure to comply with the agreement could jeopardize the peaceful future that Colombia craves and deserves, and would have a negative impact on Latin America and the Caribbean and on the international community as a whole, which has unreservedly supported the Final Agreement and is following the process with hope. We wish to express our condolences to the Government and the people of Colombia, in particular to the families of the victims of the 17 January attack in Bogotá. Cuba rejects and condemns all terrorist acts, methods and practices in all their forms and manifestations. Cuba has never allowed nor will it allow its territory to be used for the organization of terrorist acts against any State. Cuba has strictly fulfilled its role as guarantor in the peace process between FARC- EP and the Colombian authorities as well as guarantor and alternative headquarters of the Colombian dialogue between the Government and the National Liberation Army. Cuba is against terrorism and against the war in defence of peace. On the moral grounds of having been a victim of State terrorism for decades and of having an unblemished history on the subject, we condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations whatever its motivations.