Press Release UN Verification Mission in Colombia

30 Oct 2017

Press Release UN Verification Mission in Colombia

Bogotá, 30 October 2017. - The UN Verification Mission in Colombia condemns the murder of the indigenous governor Aulio Isarama Forastero of the indigenous reservation Catru Dubaza Ancoso in the municipality of Alto Baudó, Department of Chocó. The murder, which took place on 24 October, was committed by members of the Omar Gomez Western War Front of the National Liberation Army (ELN) which took responsibility for the action in a communiqué issued on 29 October. The Mission extends its most sincere condolences to his family and his community.

Under its mandate to coordinate the Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (MVM) of the Temporary, Bilateral, and National Ceasefire, the UN Mission has deployed its personnel to the location where these events occurred and is advancing in the verification of this incident according to the protocols established by the parties. In the coming days, the Mechanism will present the first monthly report on the verification of the Ceasefire to the public and to the Roundtable in Quito.

The UN Verification Mission acknowledges the commitment of Colombian Government and the ELN to maintain the Temporary, Bilateral, and National Ceasefire which entered into effect on 1 October. In addition, it urges the parties to continue with the process of dialogue for the welfare of the communities most affected by the armed conflict and to bring the country to a stable and lasting peace.

The UN Verification Mission expresses its concern regarding violence and assassinations in historical conflict zones and urges an effective deployment of the state authority to guarantee the safety of communities.

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