From Words to Deeds: A Research Study of Armed Non-State Actors’ Practice and Interpretation of International Humanitarian and Human Rights Norms Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia–Ejército del Pueblo (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People’s Army, FARC-EP) MARCH 2021 @BORIS HEGER, ICRC TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgments ........................................................................................................................................... 1 Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................................ 3 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 4 2. Methodology ................................................................................................................................................. 6 3. FARC-EP Profile ............................................................................................................................................ 8 Box 1: International Humanitarian Law Applicable to the FARC-EP ............................................ 12 4. FARC-EP IHL Policy ................................................................................................................................... 12 Box 2: Key FARC-EP Policy Documents Related to IHL and Human Rights Norms ................... 15 Box 3: The IHL Policy of the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (National Liberation Army, ELN) .............................................................................................................................................................. 16 5. FARC-EP PolicY and Practice With Regard to Selected IHL Norms ................................................ 17 A. Protection of Civilians From Attacks ............................................................................................... 17 1. Distinction ................................................................................................................................................... 17 2. Proportionality and Precaution ............................................................................................................ 19 3. Public Reports on the FARC-EP’s Practices regarding the Protection of Civilians from Attacks .................................................................................................................................................................... 21 B. The Prohibition of Sexual Violence and Gender Discrimination .............................................. 22 Box 4: The FARC-EP and the Existence of Intra-Party Crimes ......................................................... 26 C. The Prohibition of Using and Recruiting Children in Hostilities ............................................. 27 D. Protection of Education ...................................................................................................................... 30 E. Humanitarian Access ........................................................................................................................... 31 F. Protection of Health Care .................................................................................................................... 33 G. The Prohibition of Forced Displacement ........................................................................................ 35 H. Use of Landmines and Other Explosive Devices ........................................................................... 36 I. Detention, Fair Trial and Administration of Justice ...................................................................... 39 1. Treatment of Persons in Detention ...................................................................................................... 39 2. Fair Trials and Administration of Justice ........................................................................................... 43 J. The Special Protection of Certain Objects, Such as Cultural Property....................................... 45 6. Conclusions ................................................................................................................................................. 47 7. Annexes ........................................................................................................................................................ 50 Map of Colombia ....................................................................................................................................... 50 Further Reading ......................................................................................................................................... 51 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This report was authored by Mr Ezequiel Heffes with the support of Dr Annyssa Bellal. The author would like to thank Pascal Bongard, Audrey Palama, Carla Ruta, Anki Sjöberg, Juan Pappier, Mario Aguilera Peña, Alvaro Villarraga, Patrick Zahnd and several others who preferred not to be named, for their insightful comments on earlier versions of the study. He also wishes to thank the Advisory Board of the project. Special thanks go to Ms Yolvi Padilla, who provided invaluable input to the research. The author is also grateful Munizha Ahmad-Cooke for her editing assistance. He is also thankful to all those who contributed to the research, including former FARC-EP commanders for their active participation. This study was made possible with the generous support of the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. The views expressed in this study are the authors' own and do not necessarily reflect those of the project’s supporters or of anyone who provided input to, or commented on, earlier drafts. 1 I Case Study: Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia–Ejército del Pueblo (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People’s Army, FARC-EP) LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS AP II 1977 Additional Protocol II to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflict, 8 June 1977 APMs Anti-personnel mines ANSA Armed non-state actor ELN Ejército de Liberación Nacional ERW Explosive remnants of war FARC-EP Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia – Ejército del Pueblo GCs Geneva Conventions, 12 August 1949 HRW Human Rights Watch ICC International Criminal Court ICRC International Committee of the Red Cross IED Improvised explosive device IHL International humanitarian law IHRL International human rights law NGO Non-governmental organization NIAC Non-international armed conflict OHCHR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights UNSC United Nations Security Council UNSG United Nations Secretary-General UXO Unexploded ordnance 2 I Case Study: Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia–Ejército del Pueblo (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People’s Army, FARC-EP) paramilitary groups. ii) There is an EXECUTIVE SUMMARY increasing number of public documents reporting violations by the FARC-EP of specific IHL norms, such as the This case study has been conducted as part of prohibition of forced displacement, at the research project on armed non-state actors’ the time it was actively fighting against (ANSAs) practice and interpretation of both paramilitary groups and international humanitarian law (IHL), led by governmental forces. It has been said, the Geneva Academy of IHL and Human Rights for instance, that the military pressure and Geneva Call, in collaboration with the on the FARC-EP during the Alvaro Uribe American University in Cairo and the government (2002–2010) led the group Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). From a legal to indiscriminately resort to landmines perspective, while ANSAs are bound by IHL, to hinder army advances. how they actually perceive, understand and act upon their obligations has remained • insufficiently explored. Through a comparative Although the FARC-EP considered IHL analysis of selected norms, the research project to be an ‘elitist’ legal regime, developed aims to advance understanding of ANSAs’ by states and only addressing their own perspectives and behaviour, enhance strategies interests, the group modified its to promote their compliance with IHL as well as attitudes throughout its almost 50 years inform future international law-making of existence, reflecting the rise and fall processes. By assessing the Fuerzas Armadas in its level of acceptance of this legal Revolucionarias de Colombia–Ejército del regime at specific moments. Two key Pueblo’s (FARC-EP) practice and interpretation moments in which the FARC-EP openly in relation to a selection of IHL rules, this case addressed IHL-related issues were study aims to fill this gap. Compiling and identified: i) when in discussions with analysing the FARC-EP’s views enables an humanitarian organizations on the understanding of how this ANSA perceived ground; and ii) when the FARC-EP international law, the norms that enjoyed attempted to be recognized as a greater acceptance and those that were ‘belligerent’ movement’, for which the disputed. This case study responds to several international commission even inquiries, notably why the FARC-EP chose to prepared a written document toward express its views through specific that goal. From these scenarios, this case