The creation of more than seven million internally-displaced persons
and the subsequent territorial expropriation in the context of the internal armed
conflict in Colombia constitute both a humanitarian and a human rights tragedy.
Indigenous peoples and Afro-descendants have especially been affected by forced
displacement and loss of their ancestral territories. Some of these people are in a
situation very close to extinction. International and domestic legal standards
have progressively developed the rights of victims to truth, justice, reparation
and guarantees of non-repetition. Restitutive justice, a human rights approach,
and differential attention are essential ingredients for a consistent public policy
to adequately deal with IDPs, especially those of indigenous origin, given their
special relationship with their lands and territories. The General Agreement for
the Termination of the Conflict and the Construction of Stable and Lasting Peace
is to be regarded as a window of opportunity for the protection of the rights of
IDPs and for the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples in Colombia.
Key words: Colombia; internally-displaced persons; indigenous peoples; Peace
Agreement
