Summary

The Ethnic Peoples – Global Network project is a joint effort between the Ethnic Commission for Peace and Defense of Territorial Rights and the National Afro-Colombian Peace Council (or CONPA, using the Spanish acronym). It is an ongoing effort related to the development and implementation of the Ethnic Chapter of the Colombian Peace Accords, signed in 2016. The Global Network emerged from the collective insights and efforts of multiple sectors and countries, with members working towards increasing the global visibility of the Ethnic Chapter, its implementation, and accompanying work. 

The Global Network includes members from  Canada, Colombia, and across the world. Its diverse members represent 12 universities, three research institutes, 12 Indigenous and Afro-descendant grassroots member organizations of the National Ethnic Commission for Peace and Defense of Territorial Rights, CONPA, and Consultoría para los Derechos Humanos y el Desplazamiento (CODHES), Instituto de Estudios Para el Desarollo y la Paz (INDEPAZ), the Observatory for Ethnic and Rural Territories (OTEC) of the Universidad Javeriana, and other human rights and civil society groups.  Collectively, the Global Network carries out research, advocacy, and network building in support of its objective to ensure the effective implementation of the Ethnic Chapter of the Colombian Peace Accords.

The Global Network is funded by Canadian unions and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council – Connections Grant program. Partners have been brought together.

Background

To date, less than 10% of commitments made in the Ethnic Chapter have been achieved. As a result, ethnic peoples are persistently victimized and at risk, which has only worsened within the context of the global pandemic. Indigenous and Afro-descendant organizations, leaders, communities, and notably women continue to assert efforts for peace, including demanding the meaningful implementation of the Ethnic Chapter and the full and integrated adoption of a Humanitarian Accord for conflict-affected communities in the post-accord period. As a result, ethnic peoples are persistently victimized and at risk of violence, forced displacement, confinement, and ongoing human rights violations in the “post accord” period – something largely off the radar of the global community.

Important to note is the diverse perspectives that are embedded in the Ethnic Chapter, which recognizes the special character of Indigenous and Afro-descendant people within history, and within the Colombian Constitution of 1991. In the realm of international peace accords, the inclusion of visions of life, future, and society are groundbreaking. –   These visions may include: approaches to women, gender, family, and generation; territorial, cultural and political rights; interpretations of justice based on Indigenous and Afro-Colombian conceptions of land and life; and other core areas.

The role and responsibility of global actors in ensuring meaningful and lasting peace is of concern to many global activists, academics, and others following the effective implementation of the peace accords and the Ethnic Chapter.