The Colombian Conservative Party says Colombia’s military justice reform will give “guarantees to the Armed Forces in their [fight] against terrorism.”
The party expressed its disagreement with the demand to deem the military justice reform unconstitutional by congressman Ivan Cepada and his coalition in front of Colombia’s Constitutional Court.
MORE: Colombia’s military justice reform unconstitutional: Congressman
“The modification of [military justice] is not only necessary, it was made in accordance with the constitution and the law, after an extensive debate, with the participation of all the political forces and sectors of society,” said conservative senator Efrain Cepeda Sarabia.
The Conservative Party said it would continue to support “the brave action of the armed forces” and said guarantees would have to be given so they could continue the “fight against terrorism.”
The military justice reform gives military tribunals greater jurisdiction in the prosecution of human rights crimes committed by soldiers. While seven crimes, including genocide, forced disappearances, extrajudicial executions, sexual violence, and torture, are still tried in civilian courts, other crimes under international law are to be tried by the military.
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