IACHR Publishes Friendly Settlement Agreement on Case 13,125, Concerning the Failure to Investigate a Homicide Perpetrated by the ELN in Colombia

August 24, 2022

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Washington, D.C. – The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has decided to approve the friendly settlement agreement concerning Case 13,125—Ricardo Antonio Elías and Family, Colombia—and to publish approval report 68/22. This case concerns the State's international responsibility for the murder of Ricardo Antonio Elías by the rebel group that calls itself National Liberation Army (ELN). The murder was perpetrated on November 13, 1988, during an ELN raid on the Cocuy area, in the Boyacá department.

On December 20, 2021, the parties signed a memorandum of understanding in search of a friendly settlement and agreed on a schedule for the relevant negotiations, which led to the signing of an agreement on March 1, 2022, in Bogotá. In this agreement, the State acknowledged its international responsibility, by omission, for violations of the rights held in Articles 8 (right to a fair trial) and 25 (right to judicial protection) of the American Convention on Human Rights, in accordance with Article 1.1 of the Convention (obligation to respect rights), to the detriment of the family of Ricardo Antonio Elías, for lack of diligence to investigate these events. This lack of diligence led to a failure to identify, prosecute, and punish the individuals who perpetrated this homicide.

The State committed to implementing the following redress measures: (1) handing over to the affected family a letter to dignify the victim; (2) posting this friendly settlement agreement on the website of the National Legal Defense Agency; and (3) providing financial compensation through the mechanism that was set up by Act 288 of 1996.

In friendly settlement report 68/22, the IACHR highlighted compliance with measures concerning the dignification letter and noted that other commitments remained pending. The Commission will therefore continue to monitor this agreement until full implementation has been verified.

The Commission values the efforts made by both parties to negotiate a friendly settlement agreement that is compatible with the Convention's goals and purposes. The IACHR commends the State on its efforts to develop a public policy concerning friendly settlements and alternative conflict-resolution. The IACHR invites the State to continue to use the friendly settlement mechanism to resolve other cases that are currently being addressed in the individual petition and case system. The Commission congratulates the petitioning party for all its efforts to take part in negotiations and to seek implementation of this agreement.

A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for and to defend human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 187/22

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