UN experts urged the Colombian government on Thursday to protect its civilians and called on the non-state armed groups to cease their attacks against the civilians, after the escalation of the conflict in the Catatumbo region of the Department of Norte de Santander. The experts noted that the conflict, which began on 16th January, has led to displacement on a scale that Colombia has not seen in decades.
Since the beginning of the year, there have been intense attacks by Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN) targeting Frente 33 members in Norte de Sander that has impacted the Colombian population as well as Venezuelan refugees and migrants. Peasants, indigenous peoples, women, children, human rights defenders and former FARC-EP combatants have been severely hit. The conflict has resulted in 80 targeted killings, 12 injuries and the death of five signatories of the 2016 peace agreement.
To date, almost 56,000 people have been displaced to municipalities like Cúcuta, Tibú and Hacarí. An additional 27,000 people have been confined due to the ongoing insecurity, unable to seek protection and basic services, or earn a living. A new displacement risk signal has been issued by the Ombudsman’s Office for seven of the country’s 32 departments, indicating the potential for a significantly larger humanitarian disaster. This situation has led to increased risks of violence against children, human trafficking, migrant smuggling and gender-based violence.
Although the experts have acknowledged the emergency declaration in Catatumbo, they are urging respect for international human right standards during an emergency and adequate protection of people affected. The experts have also called on the non-state armed groups such as ELN and EMBF (Frente 33) to lay down their arms and end violations of international humanitarian law.
Colombia has ratified all four Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocol II, 1995, which applies to non-international armed conflicts. It is also party to the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, 1961 and the American Convention on Human Rights, 1973.
The origin of this conflict is connected to the expansion of the oil industry by the government, which led to the Bari indigenous group being forced out of their land. This led to the rise of several non-state armed groups like the ELN (National Liberation Army), EPL(Popular Liberation Army), and the FARC-EP (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People’s Army) that established strongholds over the region. In 2016, a peace agreement was signed between the Colombian government and the FARC-EP guerrilla towards ending the conflict.
However, several new groups arose in the region post this agreement such as the ELN and Frente 33 (dissident faction of FARC-EP). Catatumbo has over the years turned from a tense co-existence between groups to a war zone for control over over drug trade. The current situation has led to enforced disappearances, and illegal occupation of homes. With the displacement of teachers, the local government has also modified the school calendar, which has in turn adversely affected education.
