In everyone’s news we explain what is bilateral ceasefire and why it is so important in the peace talks that are taking place between the National Government and the ELN.
Read also: The United Nations unanimously approved the implementation of the bilateral ceasefire between the Government and the ELN
What is the ceasefire?
This concept already existed in the Middle Ages and it was known as ‘Truce of God’.
The ceasefire or ceasefire is a temporary interruption of any armed conflict, in which the parties mutually or unilaterally agree to the cessation of hostilities. It is mainly used prior to an agreement political and with the intention of resolving a conflict.
These can occur through mediation in a peace process or imposed by resolutions of the United Nations Security Council through Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
One of the historical events where it was used was on December 24, 1914, during the First World War, In the so-called Christmas Truce, there was a temporary ceasefire between the Germans and the British, without any signed treaty. The war resumed after a few days.
In 1949 the Karachi Agreement was signed by the Indian and Pakistani military representativesoverseen by the United Nations Commission establishing a ceasefire line in Kashmir following the 1947 Indo-Pakistani War.
Another was on November 29, 1952, with the acceptance by the UN of the proposal The Indian armistice, the ceasefire of the Korean People’s Army (KPA), the People’s Volunteer Army (PVA), and the UN Command had the battle line at approximately the 38th parallel north.
It may interest you: Government issued decree to expand coverage and access to energy in La Guajira
Ceasefire between the government and the ELN
President Gustavo Petro signed Decree 1117 of July 5, 2023 that orders a national bilateral and temporary ceasefire with the ELN, between August 3, 2023 and January 29, 2024which may be extended.
And this can be extended according to the assessment made in the Peace Dialogues Table of the reports presented by the Monitoring and Verification Mechanism, and as agreed by the parties.
This Decree aims to improve the humanitarian situation of populations and territories“the civil population can exercise their rights and freedoms, with emphasis on the most vulnerable, among them, social and environmental leaders, ethnic peoples, women, human rights defenders and minors.”
This ceasefire decree is divided into four chapters and 15 articles: “suspension of military operations and offensive police operations”against members of the ELN who participate in the peace process, and in the execution of the CFBTN agreements, from 00:00 on July 6, 2023.
As of 00:00 on August 3, 2023, “it is prohibited to carry out, in addition to offensive actions, acts contrary to what is established in the Protocol of Specific Actions agreed between the parties at the Peace Dialogues Table”.
The following points are found:
- Enter into armed contact and, if this occurs, not break said contact.
- Obstruct the work of the MMV.
- Omit information to the MMV.
- Prevent the care of the sick or wounded of the civilian population and of the parties.
- Incur perfidy.
- Incurring in acts prohibited in Additional Protocol II to the Geneva Conventions, such as homicide, hostage-taking, rape, forced displacement or recruitment of minors, etc.
