Colombia Aid of the German Association of Judges
Working together to strengthen the justice system
The protection and observance of human rights is a core concern of the German Association of Judges. In 30 years, more than 2 million euros have been donated to the self-help organisation FASOL in Colombia.
News on aid to Colombia
January 2024 I Change of leadership at FASOL
After many years of working for FASOL, Carlos Ojeda Sierra is being replaced as Director of the victim protection and human rights organisation. He will be succeeded as Director by Laura Camila Castillo Montañez, who was previously responsible for FASOL's regional teams. Carlos Sierra will work for the Jurisdicción Especial para la Paz (JEP - Special Jurisdiction for Peace) in the Union Patriotica case.
November 2023: Day of remembrance
On 17 November 2023, the first day of remembrance for the victims of the armed conflict was celebrated within the judiciary. The "RECONOCIMIENTO DE LOS DAÑOS Y AFECTACIONES AL PODER JUDICIAL EN EL MARCO DEL CONFLICTO ARMADO COLOMBIANO" ceremony took place at the invitation of the Ministry of Justice in the main hall of the Colombian National Museum and was broadcast online. Click here for the recording.
October 2023: Local and regional elections throughout the country
The outcome of the elections will also have a fundamental impact on national politics as a whole. President Petro's ruling alliance has clearly lost support among the population.
October 2023: Peace process with ELN progresses
Official start of the involvement of all sectors of society in the Colombian peace process between the government and the ELN (National Liberation Army). It is hoped that the negotiations and temporary ceasefire agreement will improve/ alleviate the situation of the civilian population in conflict regions of the country.
July 2023: International attention
During her trip to Venezuela, Misereor employee Susanne Breuer met Maria Lourdes Afiuni, winner of the DRB Human Rights Award. Read her report here.
March 2023: Judges' and public prosecutors' conference in Weimar
From 29 to 31 March 2023, Misereor was represented at the RiStA with a stand. During the breaks, Misereor employees reported on current developments in the country, the report of the Truth Commission and the last project trip to Colombia.
Svenja Feuster
Donor Communications
- Telephone
- +49 241 442124
- svenja.feuster@misereor.de
Background to aid to Colombia
After more than 50 years of internal armed conflict with several hundred thousand dead and over 120,000 missing, a long-awaited path to peace began at the end of 2016 with the signing of the peace treaty between the FARC and the Colombian government. Colombia's judges and public prosecutors have a key role to play in the implementation of the peace process. According to official figures, the judiciary has to deal with more than 30,000 cases involving more than 100,000 criminal offences. More than 10,000 members of the FARC, around 7,500 members of the army and more than 4,000 other perpetrators, mainly paramilitaries, are accused. It is a huge task. But to this day, the work of members of the judiciary in Colombia remains associated with high risks.
Numerous judges and public prosecutors have paid for their commitment to the rule of law with their lives, and the number of murders and threats of violence has recently increased again. Relatives and surviving dependants are often left destitute.
Colombian aid strengthens the backbone of the judiciary
The Association of Judges wants to strengthen the independence of the courts and public prosecutors' offices in Colombia. Numerous humanitarian measures can be financed through the association's aid to Colombia. Among other things, the aid fund provides funds to enable members of the judiciary who are threatened with death to flee - usually temporarily - within Colombia or abroad. Socio-psychological care and medical treatment for destitute victims are also financed with donations from Colombia Aid. In addition, the relatives and surviving dependants of the victims are supported, for example with schooling and further education for orphans and half-orphans or with small loans to set up a business.
Colombia partnership FASOL, DRB and Misereor
The protection and observance of human rights is a core concern of the German Association of Judges (DRB). With this in mind, the German Judges' Association set up the Colombia Aid Organisation in 1989, which has since collected more than 2 million euros in donations. The reason for the solidarity and donation campaign was the failure of the state to effectively combat terror against members of the judiciary and their families in Colombia since the early 1980s. In cooperation with Misereor, the DRB uses the donations to support the work of the local self-help organisation FASOL, which supports victims of the Colombian justice system and their surviving dependants.
