by Camila Rodríguez Campo
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Adjusting to civilian life can be a daunting task for war veterans. It can be even more so if the war you have been fighting for the past several years has been against your own government. In Colombia, the streamlined process is being viewed as a prototype for dealing with these once-embittered rebels.
Colombia’s high commissioner for peace and high counselor for social and economic reintegration Frank Pearl, based in Bogotá, described the process to Weekly Report and other invited guests, including that nation’s ambassador to the United States, Carolina Barco, on a recent visit here.
In a “conversation” led by Center for American Progress senior fellow Louis Caldera, Pearl detailed the reintegration process that the Colombian government has implemented to demobilize former rebel group combatants in the South American country through persuasion rather than combat.
It is an essential step in establishing peace in the country, which has been plagued for years by armed conflicts, Pearl explained.
He broke down the First: The former revolutionaries have to pass through a process based on the Justice and Peace Law.
Second: To facilitate their adaptation to civil life, the ex-combatants’ families, most of whom have been violently separated, receive orientation while being monitored during the process.
Third: The Colombian government works on building useful skills in ex-combatants, giving them an opportunity to become active and productive members in that country’s society.
Finally: Long-term results are achieved when ex-combatants become good citizens.
The concept and process is attracting worldwide interest.
It has been in planning and implementation stages for more than five years now, with support from international peace foundations and some U.S. aid money.
To date 50,000 former combatant shave become involved in the integration process.
Combatants willing to give up arms and participate receive both psychological and educational support, as do their families. For employment, they are asked to choose an activity they like and in which they already show some abilities.
Job opportunities remain limited in that country. Alliances with the private sector are still being built—a difficult task since there is some fear and distrust but “we need to transform the environment,= Pearl said.
Pearl, who had worked as a presidential adviser for reintegration and is the cofounder of the board of j NO MAS!, has an experienced background trying to implement peaceful and alternative solutions to solve the civil conflict in Colombia.
The Colombian approach helps ensure that ex-combatants remain off the battlefield and become contributing members of society.
Pearl acknowledged that many challenges exist for improving this processes results. However, he added that it is an example of peace-willing for the rest of the world.
