International
Colombian Peace Tribunal identifies 2,000 “false positive” victims in major step for justice
The Peace Tribunal in Colombia identified nearly 2,000 victims of “false positives” on Thursday, a term used to describe extrajudicial killings of civilians who were falsely presented as guerrilla fighters killed in combat with the military. This is a way to confirm their existence and combat sectors that question the scale of these crimes.
“Today, we are called by a civic, ethical, and moral duty: the need to honor the memory of those who were murdered and disappeared by those who were supposed to protect them,” said Alejandro Ramelli, president of the tribunal, in front of the victims’ mothers.
This symbolic act was held in memory of the 6,402 “false positive” victims identified in the tribunal’s investigations into Colombia’s internal conflict, the majority of whom were killed between 2002 and 2008.
For Ramelli, the symbolic act was necessary to “combat the relentless and shameless denialism of those who are still concerned with the numbers, not the events.”
The tribunal has received requests from some right-wing politicians to reveal exact details, such as names, identity documents, and the specifics of the murders of the 6,402 “false positive” victims, a new figure that the tribunal established through its investigations, which is three times the numbers previously known.
However, the tribunal stated on Thursday that the full list of names would be disclosed once the verification process is completed, to protect the judicial investigation and out of “respect and dignity for their families.”
More than 800 former military personnel have provided their accounts of these crimes before the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, the tribunal established after the peace agreement signed eight years ago between the state and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Dozens of ex-soldiers have accepted responsibility for the extrajudicial executions.
The reading of the victims’ names was part of the exhibit “Women with Boots On,” presented by the mothers and relatives who have dedicated themselves to denouncing these cases and seeking justice.
International
Klaus Iohannis resigns as romanian president following growing opposition pressure
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis announced his resignation on Monday, following growing pressure from populist opposition groups, two months after a higher court annulled a presidential election in the European Union country.
“To free Romania from this crisis, I resign as President of Romania,” he said, adding that he would step down on February 12.
Iohannis, 65, had held the presidential office since 2014, having completed the maximum of two five-year terms. However, his presidency was extended in December after the Constitutional Court annulled the presidential race just two days before the second-round vote on December 8.
This decision followed an unexpected victory by the far-right populist Calin Georgescu in the first round, which was followed by allegations of Russian interference and electoral violations.
International
Saudi PhD student’s sentence reduced to 4 years after Twitter activity
A Saudi PhD student from the University of Leeds in Britain has been released after her 34-year sentence for her activities on Twitter in Saudi Arabia was drastically reduced, a human rights group reported on Monday.
Salma al-Shehab, who has two children, was sentenced to 34 years in prison in 2022 for her tweets.
A London-based Saudi rights group, ALQST, announced her release. In January, ALQST and other organizations said that her sentence was reduced to four years in prison, with an additional four years suspended.
“She should now be granted full freedom, including the right to travel to complete her studies,” said the group.
International
Victims of Álvaro Uribe case request international observers for trial
Victims in the legal case against former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe have requested that the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (CIDH), the United Nations, and other international organizations send observers to monitor the trial against the former leader.
“The victims’ group announces that it will appeal to the CIDH, the UN Special Rapporteur for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, and internationally recognized NGOs to designate international observers to attend the trial, in order to ensure the right to justice is upheld and that judges and magistrates imparting justice are respected,” said the victims, led by left-wing senator Iván Cepeda.
Last Thursday, the trial began against the former Colombian president on charges of bribery, process fraud, and bribery in criminal proceedings.
In this trial, in which for the first time a former Colombian president faces criminal charges, Judge Sandra Liliana Heredia will have to decide whether the Prosecution’s accusations against Uribe are valid or if, as the defense claims, Uribe is innocent of the charges.
Klaus Iohannis resigns as romanian president following growing opposition pressure
Saudi PhD student’s sentence reduced to 4 years after Twitter activity
Victims of Álvaro Uribe case request international observers for trial
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