ABColombia Report Launch

Very interesting day at the launch of ABColombia's latest report. The report documents the systematic and widespread sexual violence against women committed by all armed actors in the Colombian conflict. It highlights the near total impunity which exists and the lack of effective strategies and actions by the Colombian Government to tackle these crimes. I met lots of interesting people and there were great panel discussions. An interesting point which came up was the discussion about the Governments policy to prosecute only the most responsible. This would mean convicted the people who gave the orders but not always those who committed the act. However, many survivors are still living under fear of their abusers - in many rural areas the armed groups are still operating and the men who have committed the crimes still control the area. Different views of what justice means and a debate for how to construct peace.