BOGOTA ( Associated Press) — The Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) on Monday condemned the Colombian state for the “destruction” of the political party Union Patriotica, in which more than 6,000 members were victims of acts of “systematic” violence. Disappearance since 1984, in the form of extrajudicial execution, intimidation, murder or torture.
“These acts constituted a form of systematic destruction against the UP political party, its members and extremists, and had the involvement of state agents as well as the tolerance and sanction of the authorities,” the court indicated in its official summary of its judgment. ” ,
The Patriotic Union was founded as a political organization in 1985 following a peace negotiation between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which opened the door for them to engage in politics legally.
However, the Court said, to counter the political rise of the Patriotic Union, a coalition arose between paramilitary groups, sectors of traditional politics, businessmen and the public force, which led to violence.
The FARC only laid down its arms in 2016 following a peace deal with the state, which is still being implemented in Colombia.
The Court, based in the Costa Rican capital, concluded that the Colombian state violated the political rights, freedom of thought and expression of the members of the Patriotic Union because they were violating human rights for belonging to said party and for expressing their political views. Were victims. ,
