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El debate acerca de los derechos humanos y del derecho internacional humanitario han
humanizado la guerra civil, hasta hace pocos años en Colombia el mero hecho de hablar
de derechos humanos resultaba peligroso. El derecho internacional humanitario tenia
visos de un postulado subversivo, siendo practicamente pasado en silencio por la clase
politica y militar dirigente. Gracias a la sistematica labor de information, los delegados del
CICR han contribuido a eliminar ese prejuicio. Hoy, el discurso publico sobre derecho
internacional humanitario es mas espontaneo y despierta gran interes en todas las clases
sociales. Sintoma de este deshielo es la ratification —por Colombia—, en agosto de 1995,
del segundo Protocolo adicional a los Convenios de Ginebra. Cada vez son mas las
disposiciones del derecho internacional humanitario que se incorporan en las
instrucciones internas para personas pertenecientes a grupos armados. Pero cabe decir
que, en la practica, aunque frecuentemente se derivan derechos del derecho internacional
con respecto a la parte adversaria, apenas se aceptan los propios deberes.
VERSION INGLES
For many years, the Colombian conflict spread greatly, and with it the violations of
international humanitarian law; the number of civilians killed or displaced has increased.
Progress in the humanitarian field is made more difficult by the constant process of erosion
to which the civil war is exposed. The lines between political debate and common crime
are blurred. War has long taken on its own dynamic, making political control difficult. For
many displaced people in Colombia, the ICRC is a lifeline, however, in practice, ICRC
activities encounter many obstacles, which limit humanitarian progress. The debate about
human rights and international humanitarian law have humanized the civil war, until a few
years ago in Colombia the mere fact of talking about human rights was dangerous.
International humanitarian law had the overtones of a subversive postulate, being
practically passed in silence by the ruling political and military class. Through systematic
reporting, ICRC delegates have helped to eliminate this prejudice. Today, the public
discourse on international humanitarian law is more spontaneous and arouses great
interest in all social classes. A symptom of this thaw is the ratification —by Colombia—, in
August 1995, of the second Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions. More and
more provisions of international humanitarian law are incorporated in internal instructions
for persons belonging to armed groups. But it must be said that, in practice, although rights
are frequently derived from international law with respect to the opposing party, the duties
themselves are hardly accepted. Strengthening civil society: It is precisely in the remote
places that, defenseless, are at the mercy of the armed groups, where the ICRC has
become an important moral support for the civilian population. For this, he does not need,
at all, to always play the role of mediator or give great talks on international humanitarian
law. The simple act of actively listening and sincerely striving to understand the problems
of a region is often like a balm on open wounds and gives the impression to victims that
the world has not completely forgotten them. The delegates can only satisfy a small part of
the material needs of the victims of the conflict. However, thanks to their multiple contacts,
they contribute to bridge, at least partially, the distance between the victims and the State
institutions.
The ICRC's humanitarian action always not only fights symptoms, but also encourages the
strengthening of civil society. Decades of violence have not a little hampered the
development of civil society. Both illegal armed groups and the army have to continually
justify their legitimacy in a fight that most Colombians consider absurd. With this, the
dividing line between the civilian population and the contending forces is consciously
blurred. Some civilians are listed as enemies, are listed and killed. Given the
circumstances, the fear of the civilian population to protest against acts of violence, to
denounce social anomalies and to defend the victims of violence is understandable.
Through their regular presence in conflict areas, ICRC delegates help to remove excessive
anxiety trauma from the population. Thanks to their immunity, respected by all, they are in
a position to condemn acts of violence committed against civilians; their presence
embodies, in many places, the image of protection. Representatives of the authorities,
officials, groups in favor of human rights and the media are encouraged by the presence of
the delegates and break the silence, take initiatives, organize seminars or deal with the
fate of refugees. - Contribution to a culture of consensus: The ICRC has managed to
resolve many humanitarian problems thanks to its neutral mediation. Successfully helping
to improve the situation, defusing tensions in prisons through negotiations or repatriating
the displaced are examples of this; The object of debate in the streets, of comments in the
media, they continually encourage conversations about war and eventual peace. In
addition to managing humanitarian crises, ICRC delegates can give more long-term
impulses, even to civil servants, through their information work, coordinating their activities
with private and public institutions, openly raising the question of the social roots of
violence. The ICRC, far from renouncing its independence and neutrality, puts these
fundamental principles at the service of constructive elements for the development of
Colombian society. Undoubtedly, the ICRC's contribution to the peace process was and is
fundamental since both parties govern and guerrillas have understood after a long journey
that respect for human rights is essential to advance in any agreement to pacify the
country after a horrific civil war.