Abstract
This chapter explores a series of complex interrelated factors that shape the relationship between victimhood, transitional justice and peacemaking/peacebuilding, within the context of the recent peace process between the government of President Juan Manuel Santos and the FARC-EP (2012–2016), in Colombia. The chapter explores the role that victims may assume in contexts of peacemaking/peacebuilding, examining the formal participation of the so-called victims’ delegations in the aforementioned negotiations. Based on interviews with the victims’ delegations, the research analyses how, if at all, victims may shape formal peacemaking and thus mould how we understand peace, justice and truth. The chapter ultimately asks whether, by taking victims’ demands into account, negotiations are moulded by a victim-centred approach and thus responsive to victims.
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Notes
- 1.
This research was supported and funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and I would like to express my deep gratitude for this support. Due to ethical considerations, the interviews cited within this chapter remain anonymous, given the sensitive and ongoing nature of the peace process and the potential repercussions to interviewees.
- 2.
Interview, May 2015, Bogota.
- 3.
Interviews with organisers, Bogota, March–April, 2015.
- 4.
Interview, Bogota, 16 April 2015.
- 5.
Within this context, the possibility of re-traumatisation resulting from the participation of the victims in the delegations was severe. Consequently, the organisers contracted a psychologist who would be permanently present during meetings with the delegates, as well as during and in the aftermath of their visits to Havana. This strategy was fundamental: interventions were carried out on several occasions with delegates prior to and in the aftermath of the visits to Havana.
- 6.
Interview, Bogota, April 18, 2015.
- 7.
Interview, Bogota, April 3, 2015.
- 8.
Interview, Bogota, April 18, 2015.
- 9.
Interview, Bogota, March 28, 2015.
- 10.
Interview, Bogota, 27 March, 2015.
- 11.
Interview, Bogota, 25 March 2015.
- 12.
Interview, Bogota, 9 April 2015.
- 13.
Interview, 3 May 2015.
- 14.
Interview, Bogota, 18 April, 2015.
- 15.
Interview, 20 April, 2015.
- 16.
Interview, 18 March 2015.
- 17.
Interview, 9 April 2015.
- 18.
Interview, 9 April 2015.
- 19.
Interview, 25 March, 2015.
- 20.
Interview, 9 April 2015.
- 21.
Interview, 9 April 2015.
- 22.
Interview, 17 April 2015.
- 23.
Interview, 9 April 2015.
- 24.
Interview, Bogota, 3 May 2015.
- 25.
Interview, Bogota, 28 April 2015.
- 26.
Interview, Bogota, 27 April 2015.
- 27.
Interview, Bogota, 28 April 2015.
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Brett, R. (2018). The Role of the Victims’ Delegations in the Santos-FARC Peace Talks. In: Druliolle, V., Brett, R. (eds) The Politics of Victimhood in Post-conflict Societies. St Antony's Series. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-70202-5_11
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