Colombia’s Inspector General’s Office proposed reform of the Law of Justice and Peace Thursday that would give priority to sentences for ex-commanders of right wing paramilitary groups and speed up the justice process, reported El Tiempo newspaper.
The reform project includes addressing priority cases and sentencing for ex-commanders as well as cases of serious crimes, such as massacres, forced displacement, and crimes against humanity. Inspector General Viviane Morales asserted that the project would look to streamline the sentencing process because it would eliminate two hearings, and instead focus on the formation and enforcement of charges.
Morales stated the reform process would look to modify the fundamental principles within the Law of Justice and Peace.
However, the project is not completely agreed upon; Minister of Justice Juan Carlos Esguerra said that the government wasn’t in agreement with the initiative and he was unaware of the content of the reform presented by the Inspector General’s Office. Esguerra stated he had not spoken with Morales with respect to the law, but that he wanted all of the government institutions to work together to present one unique legislative initiative.
