Colombian leader Santos defends constitutionality of peace law
Colombian leader Santos defends constitutionality of peace law
Source: Reuters - Thu, 25 Jul 2013 07:04 PM
Author: Reuters
* Santos says unrealistic to probe 50 years of war crimes
* Critics call law "backdoor amnesty" for violations
* Court challenge to three phrases within law
By Helen Murphy
BOGOTA, July 25 (Reuters) - Colombian President Juan ManuelSantos on Thursday defended the constitutionality of a law thatpaved the way for ongoing peace talks with Marxist rebels, aslegal challenges risk undermining efforts to end five decades ofwar.
The so-called Legal Framework for Peace, approved inCongress last year, modified the constitution and laid thefoundation for punishment of war crimes, reparations for victimsand eventual peace with the Revolutionary Armed Forces ofColombia, or FARC.
The reform has been harshly criticized by the opposition andhuman rights groups as an inadequate law that offers a "backdooramnesty" for horrific war crimes and may force victims to turnto the international courts for redress.
Gustavo Gallon, a lawyer with the Colombian Commission ofJurists, filed a legal challenge to three phrases in the text ofthe law that he says would allow lawmakers to select which casesof genocide, crimes against humanity and other war crimes couldbe investigated and punished, leading to impunity for many.
"In this case the cure could end up being worse than thedisease," Gallon said in an appearance before the nine-justiceConstitutional Court in Bogota.
More:
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