THE UNIVERSITY OF LJUBLJANA European Master’s Degree in Human Rights and Democratization (E.MA) 2018/2019 The Necessity of a Holistic Peace Building Approach for Effective Conflict Transformation A Case Study of the Republic of Colombia: An Opportunity to Break the Conflict Cycle Author: Laura Marcela Casasbuenas Supervisor: Dr. Maja Bučar This research is dedicated to my beautiful and loving mother, without whose constant support, incredible resilience, and fearless strength I would not be half the person I am today. Thank you for being you, and always encouraging me to be the best version of myself. And to Danny Lucas, not a day has gone by without thinking of you. February 17, 1996 - December 4, 2018 2 ACKNOWLEGMENTS My sincerest appreciation goes to Dr. Petra Roter for making the transition to this new learning environment pleasant and for encouraging critical discussions that impacted the manner in which this research was approached. And to my supervisor, Dr. Maja Bučar, thank you for your guidance and patience. It is with endless gratitude that I acknowledge the impact that E.MA has had on me, challenging me in ways that I, at moments, did not know if I would be capable of withstanding. However, in doing so, this masters has pushed me to reconsider limiting my abilities moving forward. The experiences I have shared with some of the most beautiful souls that I have had the pleasure of meeting over the past year will be unforgettable. I would like to especially thank those of you who have given me inspiration, support, and laughter when I needed it the most. Eleanor, Emma, Alice, Victoria, Özenç, Rakan, Vera, Krista, Amélie, and Amy, to name a few — Although I am eternally grateful for having the opportunity to share this unique journey with all of you. I also need to acknowledge the love my friends and family have given me throughout this entire experience. I do not know if I would have had the courage to step out of my comfort zone without you all. To my mom, Sarah, Jackie, Sam, Taylor, Alex, and Sean — I cherish you wholeheartedly. 3 LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE 1: Galtung's Violence Triangle FIGURE 2: Venezuela Migration Map FIGURE 3: Status of Implementation: Six Thematic Agreement Points, November 2018 FIGURE 4: Comprehensive Rural Reform Implementation, November 2018 FIGURE 5: Political Participation Implementation, November 2018 FIGURE 6: Solution for the Issue of Illicit Drugs Implementation, November 2018 FIGURE 7: Victims and Transitional Justice Implementation, November 2018 FIGURE 8: Conditions for the End of Conflict Implementation, November 2018 FIGURE 9: Implementation and Verification of Agreements Implementation, November 2018 4 ABBREVIATIONS CEV La Comisión para el Esclarecimiento de la Verdad, Commission on Truth, Coexistence, and la Convivencia y la No Repetición Non-Repetition CSIVI Comisión de Seguimiento, Impulso, Verificación e Commission for the Follow-up, Promotion Implementación and Verification of the Final Agreement CNGS La Comisión Nacional de Garantías de Seguridad Commission on National Security Guarantees DDR Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration ECTRS Espacios Territoriales de Capacitación y Training and Reincorporation Territorial Reincorporación Zone ELN Ejército de Liberación Nacional National Liberation Army EPL Ejército Popular de Liberación Popular Liberation Army FARC-EP Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia— Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – Ejército del Pueblo People’s Army JEP La Jurisdicción Especial para la Paz Special Jurisdiction for Peace M-19 Movimiento 19 de Abri 19th of April Movement PAM --- Peace Accord Matrix PAO Plan de Acción Oportuna de Prevención y Timely Action Plan Protección PDET Programas de Desarrollo con Enfoque Territorial Development Programs with a Territorial Focus PEP Permiso Especial de Permanencia Special Residence Permit PISDA Programa Nacional Integral de Sustitución de Comprehensive Substitution and Alternative Cultivos Ilícitos Development Plans PMI Plan Marco de Implementación Framework for the Plan of Implementation PNIS Programa Nacional Integral de Sustitución de Program for the Substitution of Crops Used Cultivos de Uso Ilícito for Illicit Purposes RRI Reforma Rural Integra Comprehensive Rural Reform SIIPO Sistema Integrado de Información para el Comprehensive System for Post Conflict Posconflicto Information SISEP Sistema Integral de Seguridad para el Ejercicio de Comprehensive Security System of the la Política Exercise of Politics UBPD Unidad Especial para la Búsqueda de Personas Special Unit for the Search for Persons dadas por Desaparecidas en el contexto y en razón Deemed as Missing in the context of the del conflicto armado armed conflict UNDP --- United Nations Development Programme UEI Unidad Especial de Investigación Special Investigation Unit ZOMAC Zonas más Afectadas por el Conflicto Armado Areas Most Affected by the Armed Conflict 5 ABSTRACT The myriad of obstacles surrounding the post-conflict scenario poses a risk of potentially of entering a conflict trap. Engaging in a multidimensional conflict transformation process seeks to address the underlying sources of incompatibility between actors in a non-violent way through the incorporation of constructive dialogue that promotes security, political cooperation, state capacity, and implementation of the peace agreement. Too often, only some of these components are applied, yet research falls short in explaining how these gaps can be utilized in a beneficial way. By applying this framework to the case-study of the Republic of Colombia, this research will evaluate the impact of holistic peace building in negating the relapse of violence. Expanding on this comprehensive understanding, the author argues that by identifying the weak links in the implementation efforts, Colombia is in a position to break the conflict cycle and allow for a peaceful future to become a reality. 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS DEDICATIONS 2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 3 LIST OF FIGURES 4 ABBREVIATIONS 5 ABSTRACT 6 I. INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................................9 II. THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVE TO PEACE BUILDING ……………………………..12 1. Theoretical Frameworks of Conflict and Peace Building…………………………….…….13 1.1. Typologies of Violence………………………..………………………..…………………...13 1.2. A Transformational Approach to Conflict………………………..………………………….14 2. Peace Building in the United Nations ………………………..………………………….…..16 2.1. Traditional Peacekeeping ………………………..………………………..………………...16 2.2. Post-Cold War Peace Building ……………..………………………………………………..16 3. Comprehensive Understanding of the Four Dimensions of Peace Building ………………18 3.1. Security: Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration ………………………………...18 3.1.1. Understanding the DDR Elements ………………………..…………...…………..19 3.1.2. A Touchstone for Peace………………………..…………………………………..20 3.2. Governance & National Compliance………………………..……………………………….21 3.2.1. Establishing State Institutions ………………………..…………………………... 21 3.2.2. Necessity for Political Cooperation………………………..………………………22 3.3. Development & State Capacities………………………..……………….…………………..23 3.3.1. Considerations for National Development…………………………………………23 3.3.2. Distinguishing Sources of Conflict ………………………..………………………24 3.4. Importance of Timing for Negotiations and Implementation………………………………...25 3.4.1. Timing of Implementation ………………………..……………………………….25 3.4.2. Ripeness for Negotiations ………………………..………………………………..26 4. Holistic Peace Building: A Multi-Dimensional Approach …………………………………26 4.1. The Necessity of Practical Harmonization ………………………..…………………………27 4.2. Peace Efforts and Reoccurrence of Civil War………………………..………………………27 III. CASE STUDY OF THE REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA………………………………….29 1. Background on Colombia and Internal Violence…………………………………………..29 1.1. Historical Context………………………..………………………..………………………...29 1.1.1. La Violencia………………………..………………………………………….......30 1.1.2. The National Front ………………………..………………………………………31 1.2. Guerrilla Groups, National Reaction………………………..………………………………31 1.2.1. FARC-EP………………………..………………………..……………………….32 1.2.2. A Flawed Attempt at Negotiating for Peace ……………………………………...33 1.4. Havana Talks and the Final Agreement………………………..……………………………34 1.4.1. Referendum Rejection and Revisions: A Divided Society ……...………………..36 1.4.2. Role of International Community………………………..………………………..36 2. Contemporary Elements: Colliding Crises, A Cycle of Violence? ……………………….37 2.1. A Look at the Modern Day Status ………………………..………………………...38 2.1.1. Persistence of Violence and Political Instability …………………………………38 2.2. Venezuela Refugee Crisis: The Recent Mass Influx of Refugees and Immigrants………....39 2.2.1. Quito Process and Cartagena Declaration ………………………..……………….40 2.2.1. Reality of Colombian Policies ………………………..…………………………..41 IV. AN ANALYSIS OF PEACE BUILDING IN THE COLOMBIAN CONTEXT ………42 1. Implementation of Peace Building Efforts Through the Peace Agreement ……………...42 1.1. Comprehensive Rural Reform………………………..………………………..……………43 1.1.1. Agreement Goal and Implementation in Practice ………………………………...43 1.1.2. Over Promised, Under Prioritized? ……………………………………………….44 1.2. Political Participation …………………..………………………..………………………….45 1.2.1. Agreement Goal and Implementation in Practice ………………………………...45 1.2.2. Lack of Protection for Human Rights Defenders ………………………………...46 1.3. Solutions for the Issue of Illicit Drugs ……………………………………………………...47 1.3.1. Agreement Goal and Implementation in Practice ………………………………...47 1.3.2. Need for Sustainable Substations …………………………………………………48 1.4.