Description
Accountability mechanisms have recently been used more widely during transitions from conflict and grave human rights violations to a more peaceful coexistence. However, little research has been done on the transitional justice processes using national justice mechanisms. Additionally, little has been written on how these accountability institutions and mechanisms are accepted domestically and the challenges they face.
My research asks to what extent the involved parties and direct beneficiaries to the 2016 peace agreement between the FARC-EP and the Colombian Government, such as victims, former combatants, and the armed forces, have knowledge of and accept the final accountability mechanisms of the agreement. The research question is significant in the Colombian context, as in contrast to earlier peace agreements, the question of accountability was a central discussion point during the 2016 negotiations.
Different stakeholders were invited to round tables or to Havana directly to discuss the needs of the different parties involved. However, in the plebiscite, which sought the approval or disapproval of the Colombian voters of the suggested peace agreement, 50.23 percent of the voters decided against the agreement. The in parts negative reaction to the plebiscite and the final peace agreement raises legitimate questions about the overall acceptance of the peace agreement.
