Colombia’s Supreme Court has ruled that the state must pay compensation to around 20 families who lost their homes due to fighting between FARC and the Colombia army in the town of San Gil, in the north eastern department of Santander.
The state must pay the families an unspecified amount numbering in the millions of dollars after the court found the army responsible for burning down several houses, the “traumatic circumstances”of which caused the victims “deep pain, grief and sadness”, reported El Espectador Friday.
The decision was based upon the principle of distinction found in international humanitarian law which stipulates that those involved in the conflict must distinguish between military objectives and civilians and their property. The court found this formed sufficient grounds by which to rule against the state.
The incident occured on May 18th 1993.
