Legal challenges posed by the war on drugs and the fight against organized crime in Colombia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17981/juridcuc.16.1.2020.16Keywords:
organized crime, armed conflict, government, international humanitarian lawAbstract
This article aims to highlight the evolution of crime in Colombia and how it is a drawback to the current understanding of the applicability of international humanitarian law. The peace agreement between the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-FARC, the government and the emerging armed actors are a challenge to Colombian law and legal institutions. Accordingly, the article concluded that the use of force by the Colombian government against drug trafficking organizations, or so-called Criminal Gangs-BACRIM, does not seem to be the legal way to combat them since these organizations do not necessarily participate in hostilities, which means that the government has to follow a specific procedure.
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References
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Massé, F. (2011). ¿Bandas criminales o neoparamilitares? Foreign Affairs Latinoamérica, 11(2), 42–49. Available from http://revistafal.com/numeros-anteriores/fal-11-2/
Massé, F. (coord.) (2010). La Evolución de las Estructuras Armadas Post-desmovilización: Pasado, Presente y Futuro. [Tercer Informe del Observatorio de DDR y Ley de Justicia y Paz]. Madrid: Centro Internacional de Toledo para la Paz. Available from https://www.academia.edu/9301176/La_evoluci%C3%B3n_de_las_estructuras_armadas_en_el_per%C3%ADodo_post-desmovilizaci%C3%B3n
Massé, F. & Munevar, J. (2017). Due Diligence in Colombia Gold Supply Chain. [Online]. Paris: OECD. Available from https://mneguidelines.oecd.org/Colombia-gold-supply-chain-overview.pdf
McDermott, J. (2014). The Changing Face of Colombian Organized Crime. Perspectivas, (9). Bogotá, D.C.: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung. Available from https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/la-seguridad/11153.pdf
Melzer, N. (2009). Interpretive Guidance on the Notion of Direct Participation in Hostilities under International Humanitarian Law. International Review of the Red Cross, 90(872), 991–1047. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1816383109000319
Melzer, N. (2005). Third Expert Meeting on the Notion of Direct Participation in Hostilities. [Online]. Geneva: ICRC. Available from https://www.icrc.org/en/doc/assets/files/other/direct_participation_in_hostilities_2005_eng.pdf
Melzer, N. (september 7, 2016). International Humanitarian Law: a Comprehensive Introduction. [4231_IHL]. Geneva: ICRC. Available from https://shop.icrc.org/international-humanitarian-law-a-comprehensive-introduction-2891.html
Nieto, N. (2008). ¿Hay o no hay conflicto armado en Colombia?, Anuario Colombiano de Derecho Internacional, 1(1), 139–159. Available at https://revistas.urosario.edu.co/index.php/acdi/article/viewFile/132/100
OAS. IACHR. (1999). Third Report on Human Rights in Colombia. [OEA/Ser.L/V/II.102. Doc. 9 rev. 1]. Washington: OAS. Available from http://www.cidh.org/countryrep/Colom99en/table%20of%20contents.htm
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Quéguiner, J. (2003). Direct Participation in Hostilities under International Humanitarian Law. [Online]. Geneva: ICRC. Available from https://www.icrc.org/en/doc/assets/files/other/2003-02-background-document-icrc.pdf
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Rico, D. (2013). La Dimensión Internacional del Crimen Organizado en Colombia: Las Bacrim, sus Rutas y Refugios. [Online]. Washington: Wilson Center. Available from https://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/media/documents/misc/Daniel%20Rico.pdf
Rojas, D. (2013). Much more than a war on drugs: elementos para un balance del Plan Colombia. Análisis Político, 26(77), 113–132. Available from https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/anpol/article/view/44006
Romero, M. & Arias, A. (2010). Corporación Nuevo Arco Iris, Sobre paramilitaries, neoparamilitares y afines: Crecen sus acciones, ¿qué dice el gobierno? Arcanos, 13(15), 34–45. Available from http://www.arcoiris.com.co/wp-content/uploads/2011/arcanos/revista_ARCANOS_15.pdf
Sassòli, M. (2003). Legitimate Targets of Attacks Under International Humanitarian Law. [Online]. Geneva: IHLRI. Available from http://humanrightsvoices.org/assets/attachments/documents/Session1.pdf
Sassòli, M., Bouvier, A. & Quintin, A. (2011). How does Law protect in War? Volume I. [Online]. Available from https://www.icrc.org/en/doc/assets/files/publications/icrc-0739-part-i.pdf
Semana. (march 14, 2015). Tras Otoniel, el nuevo patrón del mal. [Online]. Available from http://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/tras-el-nuevo-patron-del-mal-alias-otoniel/421081-3
Semana. (october 13, 2012). Así será la negociación. [Online]. Available from http://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/asi-sera-negociacion/266286-3
Semana. (mayo 28, 2011). Ley de Víctimas: un paso histórico. [Online]. Available from https://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/ley-victimas-paso-historico/240497-3
Vité, S. (2009). Typology of armed conflicts in international humanitarian law: legal concepts and actual situations. International review of the red cross, 91(873), 69–94. Available from https://www.icrc.org/en/doc/assets/files/other/irrc-873-vite.pdf
Von, C. (2011). The Conflict in Colombia and the Relationship between Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law in Practice: Analysis of the New Operational Law of the Colombian Armed Forces. Journal of Conflict and Security Law, 16(1), 141–164. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcsl/krr004
Wienend, S. and Tremaria, S. (2017). Paramilitarism in a Post-Demobilization Context? Insights from the Department of Antioquia in Colombia. European Review of Latin American and Caribbean Studies, (103), 25–50. http://doi.org/10.18352/erlacs.10161
Attanasio, D. (2013). Emerging Voices: Drug Cartels, Bacrim, and Other Militarized Criminal Organizations–A New Role for the Inter-American System? Opinio Juris, [Online]. Available from http://opiniojuris.org/2013/08/29/emerging-voices-drug-cartels-bacrim-militarized-criminal-organizations-new-role-inter-american-system/
Barón, M. & Gómez, A. (2015). New drug trafficking armed groups in Colombia and the applicability of International Humanitarian Law. EAFIT Journal of International Law, 6(1), 50–72. Available from http://publicaciones.eafit.edu.co/index.php/ejil/article/view/3352
BBC. (july 22, 2010). 'Deep in Taliban territory': A drone pilot's account. [Online]. Available from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-10733013
El Espectador. (november 14, 2012). Bacrim, más que delicuentes. [Online]. Available from http://www.elespectador.com/noticias/judicial/articulo-387073-bacrim-mas-delincuentes
El Pais. (july 21, 2019). “Hay cinco conflictos armados hoy en Colombia”. [Online]. Available from https://elpais.com/internacional/2019/07/20/colombia/1563649226_997490.html
El Tiempo. (november 13, 2012). Bandas criminales deben ser catalogadas como grupos armados ilegales. [Online]. Available from http://www.eltiempo.com/justicia/ARTICULO-WEB-NEW_NOTA_INTERIOR-12376523.html
Grajales, J. (2011). El proceso de desmovilización de los paramilitares en Colombia: entre lo político y lo judicial. Desafios, 23(2), 149–194. Available from https://revistas.urosario.edu.co/index.php/desafios/article/viewFile/1805/1608
Granada, S., Restrepo, J. & Tobón, A. (2009). Neoparamilitarismo en Colombia: una herramienta conceptual para la interpretación de dinámicas recientes del conflicto armado colombiano. In J. A. Restrepo and D. Aponte (eds), Guerra y Violencia en Colombia: Herramientas e interpretaciones (pp. 466–499). Bogotá, D.C.: Editorial Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Available from https://www.cerac.org.co/es/assets/files/guerrayviolencias/10_Neoparamilitarismo_en_Colombia.pdf
HRW. (february 3, 2010). Paramilitaries’ Heirs. The New Face of Violence in Colombia. [Online]. https://www.hrw.org/report/2010/02/03/paramilitaries-heirs/new-face-violence-colombia
ICG. (may 10, 2007). ‘Colombia’s New Armed Groups’. [Latin American Report N° 20]. Available from https://www.crisisgroup.org/latin-america-caribbean/andes/colombia/colombia-s-new-armed-groups
ICRC. (2014). The Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols. [Online]. Available from https://www.icrc.org/es/document/los-convenios-de-ginebra-de-1949-y-sus-protocolos-adicionales
ICRC. (2004a). What is International Humanitarian Law. [Online]. Available from https://www.icrc.org/eng/assets/files/other/what_is_ihl.pdf
ICRC. (2004b). Second Expert Meeting Direct Participation in Hostilities under International Humanitarian Law. [Expert Paper]. The Hague: ICRC and the TMC Asser Institute. Available from https://www.icrc.org/en/doc/assets/files/other/direct_participation_in_hostilities_2004_eng.pdf
ICRC. (1949). Treatment of Prisoners of War. [Online]. https://www.un.org/en/genocideprevention/documents/atrocity-crimes/Doc.32_GC-III-EN.pdf
ICTY. (30 November 2005). Prosecutor v. Fatmir Limaj, Haradin Bala, Isak Musliu. [Case No. IT-03-66-T]. Available from https://www.icty.org/x/cases/limaj/tjug/en/lim-tj051130-e.pdf
ICTY. (16 June 2004). Prosecutor v. Milosevic. [Case No. IT-02-54-T]. Available from https://www.icty.org/x/cases/slobodan_milosevic/tdec/en/040616.pdf
ICTY. (7 May 1997). Prosecutor v. Du[Ko Tadi] a/k/a/ “Dule”. [Case No. IT-94-1-T]. Available from https://www.icty.org/x/cases/tadic/tjug/en/tad-tsj70507JT2-e.pdf
Janes. (september 18, 2014). Ambush indicates local FARC- BACRIM alliance raises crime, extortion and kidnap risks in Colombia´s Urabá region. IHS Jane´s 360. [Online]. Available from https://www.janes.com/article/43248/ambush-indicates-local-farc-bacrim-alliance-raises-crime-extortion-and-kidnap-risks-in-colombia-s-urab%E1-region (Web, 22 August 2015)
Lohmuller, M. (march 16, 2015). Insight Crime. Colombia intensifies search for Urabeños leader. Insight Crime. [Online]. Available from https://www.insightcrime.org/news/brief/colombia-intensifies-search-for-urabenos-leader/
Massé, F. (2011). ¿Bandas criminales o neoparamilitares? Foreign Affairs Latinoamérica, 11(2), 42–49. Available from http://revistafal.com/numeros-anteriores/fal-11-2/
Massé, F. (coord.) (2010). La Evolución de las Estructuras Armadas Post-desmovilización: Pasado, Presente y Futuro. [Tercer Informe del Observatorio de DDR y Ley de Justicia y Paz]. Madrid: Centro Internacional de Toledo para la Paz. Available from https://www.academia.edu/9301176/La_evoluci%C3%B3n_de_las_estructuras_armadas_en_el_per%C3%ADodo_post-desmovilizaci%C3%B3n
Massé, F. & Munevar, J. (2017). Due Diligence in Colombia Gold Supply Chain. [Online]. Paris: OECD. Available from https://mneguidelines.oecd.org/Colombia-gold-supply-chain-overview.pdf
McDermott, J. (2014). The Changing Face of Colombian Organized Crime. Perspectivas, (9). Bogotá, D.C.: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung. Available from https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/la-seguridad/11153.pdf
Melzer, N. (2009). Interpretive Guidance on the Notion of Direct Participation in Hostilities under International Humanitarian Law. International Review of the Red Cross, 90(872), 991–1047. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1816383109000319
Melzer, N. (2005). Third Expert Meeting on the Notion of Direct Participation in Hostilities. [Online]. Geneva: ICRC. Available from https://www.icrc.org/en/doc/assets/files/other/direct_participation_in_hostilities_2005_eng.pdf
Melzer, N. (september 7, 2016). International Humanitarian Law: a Comprehensive Introduction. [4231_IHL]. Geneva: ICRC. Available from https://shop.icrc.org/international-humanitarian-law-a-comprehensive-introduction-2891.html
Nieto, N. (2008). ¿Hay o no hay conflicto armado en Colombia?, Anuario Colombiano de Derecho Internacional, 1(1), 139–159. Available at https://revistas.urosario.edu.co/index.php/acdi/article/viewFile/132/100
OAS. IACHR. (1999). Third Report on Human Rights in Colombia. [OEA/Ser.L/V/II.102. Doc. 9 rev. 1]. Washington: OAS. Available from http://www.cidh.org/countryrep/Colom99en/table%20of%20contents.htm
ONU. UNHCR. (2015). Colombia: The Black Eagles (Águilas Negras), including areas of operation and criminal activities; whether the Black Eagles seek out individuals within Colombia and abroad; state protection available (2014-March 2015). [COL105125.E]. Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. Available from https://www.refworld.org/docid/5534ac604.html
Padilla, A. & Bermúdez, A. (2016). To normalize conflict and denormalize violence: challenges and possibilities in a critical teaching of history of the colombian armed conflict. Revista Colombiana de Educación, (71), 187–218. Available at http://www.scielo.org.co/pdf/rcde/n71/n71a08.pdf
Pérez-Santiago, M. (august 8, 2012). Colombia’s BACRIM: Common Criminals or Actors in Armed Conflict? InSight Crime. [Online]. Available from https://www.insightcrime.org/news/analysis/colombia-s-bacrim-common-criminals-or-actors-in-armed-conflict/
Perret, A. (2014). The Role of the Inter-American System of Human Rights in the Regulation of Private Military and Security Companies (PMSCs) in Latin America. [PhD Thesis]. European University Institute, Florence, Italia. Available from https://cadmus.eui.eu/handle/1814/33870
Quéguiner, J. (2003). Direct Participation in Hostilities under International Humanitarian Law. [Online]. Geneva: ICRC. Available from https://www.icrc.org/en/doc/assets/files/other/2003-02-background-document-icrc.pdf
Repúblic of Colombia. FARC-EP. (2016). Final agreement for the termination of the conflict and the building of a stable and lasting peace. [Final Agreement 12.11.2016]. Available from https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/sites/default/files/Fotos2016/12.11_1.2016nuevoacuerdofinal.pdf
Rico, D. (2013). La Dimensión Internacional del Crimen Organizado en Colombia: Las Bacrim, sus Rutas y Refugios. [Online]. Washington: Wilson Center. Available from https://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/media/documents/misc/Daniel%20Rico.pdf
Rojas, D. (2013). Much more than a war on drugs: elementos para un balance del Plan Colombia. Análisis Político, 26(77), 113–132. Available from https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/anpol/article/view/44006
Romero, M. & Arias, A. (2010). Corporación Nuevo Arco Iris, Sobre paramilitaries, neoparamilitares y afines: Crecen sus acciones, ¿qué dice el gobierno? Arcanos, 13(15), 34–45. Available from http://www.arcoiris.com.co/wp-content/uploads/2011/arcanos/revista_ARCANOS_15.pdf
Sassòli, M. (2003). Legitimate Targets of Attacks Under International Humanitarian Law. [Online]. Geneva: IHLRI. Available from http://humanrightsvoices.org/assets/attachments/documents/Session1.pdf
Sassòli, M., Bouvier, A. & Quintin, A. (2011). How does Law protect in War? Volume I. [Online]. Available from https://www.icrc.org/en/doc/assets/files/publications/icrc-0739-part-i.pdf
Semana. (march 14, 2015). Tras Otoniel, el nuevo patrón del mal. [Online]. Available from http://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/tras-el-nuevo-patron-del-mal-alias-otoniel/421081-3
Semana. (october 13, 2012). Así será la negociación. [Online]. Available from http://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/asi-sera-negociacion/266286-3
Semana. (mayo 28, 2011). Ley de Víctimas: un paso histórico. [Online]. Available from https://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/ley-victimas-paso-historico/240497-3
Vité, S. (2009). Typology of armed conflicts in international humanitarian law: legal concepts and actual situations. International review of the red cross, 91(873), 69–94. Available from https://www.icrc.org/en/doc/assets/files/other/irrc-873-vite.pdf
Von, C. (2011). The Conflict in Colombia and the Relationship between Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law in Practice: Analysis of the New Operational Law of the Colombian Armed Forces. Journal of Conflict and Security Law, 16(1), 141–164. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcsl/krr004
Wienend, S. and Tremaria, S. (2017). Paramilitarism in a Post-Demobilization Context? Insights from the Department of Antioquia in Colombia. European Review of Latin American and Caribbean Studies, (103), 25–50. http://doi.org/10.18352/erlacs.10161
Published
2020-05-29
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Perret, A., & García, R. C. (2020). Legal challenges posed by the war on drugs and the fight against organized crime in Colombia. JURIDICAS CUC, 16(1), 371–390. https://doi.org/10.17981/juridcuc.16.1.2020.16
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