In this episode Lina discusses the post conflict experience of Columbia. . She is a student journalist with us on a placement organised by the War Studies Department, King's College, London. This article was edited by Cassia Jeffoerson, a fellow student journalist who recently graduated from Oxford University.
🎧 listen to Lina's backstory here - she discusses her motivation & research as well.
Shaping Collective Memory in Post-Conflict Colombia: The Role of Victims' Initiatives and the March of Light in Eastern Antioquia
The Colombian internal conflict spanned nearly six decades. Leading to one of the highest internally displaced populations in the world. The conflict began with communist-inspired uprisings in the 1940s leading to the civil war. The Colombian government. Paramilitary groups. Crime syndicates. And, the leftist guerrilla group FARC (Nivia 2017) were all participants. The conflict has taken the life 8 million victims according the NCHM. With civil society being principally affected. About 16.9% of the population are direct victims of the war (Human Rights Watch, 2010, NCHM, 2018). Finally, on 24 November 2016, the Colombian government and FARC signed a peace agreement. Which ended more than 50 years of armed conflict.
However, the post-conflict reconstruction of Colombian society is still ongoing. Colombians have not come to terms with the decades of violence endured by the population. While FARC has received political representation. Other non-state actors have become more active in recent years, such as the ELN. Other aspects in which the reconstruction of Colombian society continues are the creation of a collective memory. Along with a culture of peace. Community-led efforts to reshape the memory and advance the quest for truth in Colombia highlights the role of transitional justice.
The construction of a collective memory is pivotal to navigating the aftermath of violence. While also fostering social healing. There is a tension between official and non-official memory narratives. Which elucidates the importance of grassroots initiatives in examining the human impact . Along with social disparities in transitional justice processes.
Eastern Antioquia stands as a microcosm of Colombia's tumultuous history. Marked by ongoing confrontations between armed groups vying for control over territory and resources. The region's strategic importance, with its abundant energy resources and strategic corridors, has made it a hotbed of violence and displacement (NCMH, 2016). Paramilitary massacres. Guerrilla warfare. And, the pervasive use of landmines have shattered communities and torn apart the social fabric (Tamayo Gomez 2019). The local population endured a myriad of atrocities throughout the Colombian armed conflict. Including stigmatization, displacement, persecution, and extrajudicial killings.
In response to the profound psychological toll inflicted by the conflict, organizations like Conciudadania and CINEP initiated the Emotional First Aid program in 2003. They train victims to support each other and founding groups like The Life and Mental Health Promoters (PROVISAME), later known as Las Abrazadas (Tamayo Gomez 2019). Building on this model, women in San Carlos established CARE in 2006. It provides comprehensive assistance and initiate community reconciliation efforts. Meanwhile, in Rionegro, organizations like AMOR and APROVIACI emerged to advocate for victims' rights and challenge traditional gender norms. Over the past three decades, these organizations have spearheaded human rights projects, facilitated emotional recovery, and supported transitional justice efforts, notably contributing to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Search Unit for Disappeared People since 2017.
In the face of adversity, organizations like the Association of Organized Women of Eastern Antioquia (AMOR) and the Provincial Associations of Victims to Citizens (APROVIACI) have emerged as beacons of resilience. These groups, comprised mainly of women, have tirelessly advocated for the rights of victims and survivors. Through human rights projects and civic activism, they challenge the culture of silence imposed by armed groups. Along with reclaiming public spaces through memory initiatives. AMOR and APROVIACI initiated various initiatives. Including small-scale projects, workshops, and programs, across all twenty-three municipalities (Tamayo Gomez 2016). These endeavors are designed to cultivate citizenship. Foster political identity. And, promote human rights. Their overarching goal is to empower women in the region. By amplifying their political voices and fostering civic engagement.
At the heart of Eastern Antioquia's collective memory efforts lies the March of Light. Initiated in 2002 by AMOR and APROVIACI, this weekly procession symbolizes a collective cry for truth and justice (Tamayo Gomez 2019). Participants from across the region march with candles in hand. They honour the memory of victims and demanding accountability for past atrocities. The March of Light serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience and determination of Eastern Antioquia's communities in the face of adversity. The collective aspect of these kinds of grassroots efforts to establish a memory narrative is crucial for communities to reinforce their position within society. And to recognize the impact conflicts have on their community. The March of Light also helps the marginalized community resist against the forced silencing endured during conflict. By moving their memorials from private to public areas they increase the visibility of their experiences. And contribute to the historical narratives told about the conflict (Villa Gomez 2013). From the Walls of Memory adorned with photographs of victims. To the Trails for Life, where families trace the footsteps of their loved ones lost to violence. Memory initiatives permeate the landscape of Eastern Antioquia. These efforts not only honor the memory of the fallen. But also seek to prevent the repetition of past atrocities. By reclaiming public spaces and amplifying the voices of victims. Communities in Eastern Antioquia are forging a path towards reconciliation and social justice.
The survivors of the conflict in Eastern Antioquia saw the stigmatization of particular groups of people. The sense that you were no longer part of your own community because you saw so many of them killed is not only a personal sense of lack of belonging. But becomes a collective when others view your memories as taboo. Many become isolated from their community which can starts debates about ‘false memory syndrome’ that raise questions around who is allowed to have memories. And, who is allowed to pass them on. Members of APROVIACI and AMOR added that questions regarding the historical responsibility to teach future generations. And how to share this learning in open public spaces are important topics for collectives of victims.
In post-conflict Colombia, the process of crafting narratives of memory becomes a transitional justice battleground. With various social actors, notably victims, grappling with how to interpret the past and present. This struggle reflects the power dynamics inherent in shaping collective remembrance. Epitomized by the adage "history is written by the victors." Official narratives, often propagated by government entities and armed factions. Vie for dominance alongside alternative accounts put forth by civil society organizations, NGOs, and victims themselves. This tension underscores the complex interplay between official and non-official narratives. Each influenced by the agendas and perspectives of their creators. Thus, understanding the truth of Colombia's nearly six decades of armed conflict requires navigating the multifaceted landscape of memory construction. Where divergent accounts vie for recognition and legitimacy.
There is an important distinction to be made between transitional justice programs from the UN and these kinds of grassroots community-led initiatives. Which focusing on a specific experience and acknowledging varied narratives and memories. In Colombia, the peace agreement signed by the government and the FARC established the Truth, Coexistence, and Non-Repetition Commission (CEV). It is one of the fundamental pillars of transitional justice meant to transition Colombia into a lasting peace. Truth commissions such as the CEV became one the most commonly employed mechanisms to manage the consequences of armed conflict and political violence. They have been used since the 1980s in various post-conflict countries, such as Peru and Argentina. Transitional justice, while originally focused on “judicial and institutional reform through legal and criminal prosecutions,”. Now has shifted focus towards democratization and civil renewal utilizing restorative justice (Villamizar, et al. 2021). The goal of truth commissions is to create of new national narratives that encompass historically marginalized groups within the nation-state. Aiming to mitigate the risk of future violence and human rights abuses (Villamizar 2021).
However, there are various obstacles Indigenous women face that make it difficult for official truth commissions to be useful to them. In Arhuaco women stated that speaking of the violence and trauma they have experienced is antithetical to their traditional practices. Hindering their process of cultural and epistemic resistance. Collective memory in this context can be seen as a way for victims to come to terms with and move on from legacies of violence. Combining collective memory initiatives with inclusive processes are an important instrument. They help local communities claim truth and reparation. In order to make transitional justice processes inclusive. The grassroots initiatives and community-led progress have to be made the forefront of the field.
In Eastern Antioquia, the journey towards peace and reconciliation is a testament to the resilience of its people. Through grassroots initiatives like the March of Light and memory projects. Communities are reclaiming their history and demanding accountability for past injustices. As Colombia navigates its path towards a brighter future, the transformative power of collective memory in Eastern Antioquia serves as a beacon of hope. By illuminating the way forward towards lasting peace and reconciliation.
The effort of Colombian victims’ groups to create varied discourses in the public sphere encourages a more active role of local communities. In Colombia's journey towards a . genuine peace, The involvement of civil society leaders is indispensable (Nivia 2017). They offer platforms for public discourse. Shed light on the struggles of marginalized groups. And present alternative viewpoints. Thus shaping comprehensive and inclusive peace initiatives. To truly transform society and uproot the culture of violence deeply ingrained in Colombia's past. It is imperative to shift away from militaristic rhetoric. And embrace ideologies and norms that prioritize human dignity. This entails fostering practices that uplift all members of society. Particularly those who are most vulnerable.
To truly transform Colombian society and break free from the entrenched culture of violence. It is imperative to move away from militaristic rhetoric. Instead, embracing ideologies and norms that prioritize human dignity is paramount. This shift involves implementing practices that uplift all members of society. Particularly those who are most vulnerable. By prioritizing inclusivity and dignity. Colombia can pave the way for a more equitable and peaceful future.
In the broader discourse of transitional justice. The concept of transitional justice "from below" emerges as a critical framework. It underscores the agency and activism of marginalized communities. Along with civil society actors in shaping post-conflict societies (Tamayo Gomez 2022). By challenging dominant narratives and traditional mechanisms of transitional justice. Such as truth commissions and state-led initiatives. Transitional justice "from below" empowers communities to address their own needs. It seeks to redress for past injustices. This approach emphasizes the importance of grassroots activism. Community reconciliation efforts. And victim-led initiatives in achieving meaningful and sustainable peace.
From Colombia to Kenya, examples abound of how civil society groups and grassroots movements have played pivotal roles. They have driven social change and advocated for the rights of victims. Transitional justice "from below" reframes transitional processes as bottom-up endeavors. Which are rooted in the lived experiences and aspirations of those most affected by conflict. This enriches our understanding of justice and reconciliation in post-conflict contexts. As nations worldwide wrestle with the fallout from conflicts and human rights violations. The concept of transitional justice "from below" emerges as a potent tool. It provides a framework for fostering inclusive and participatory approaches to justice and reconciliation. By amplifying the voices and agency of marginalized communities. This approach not only deepens our comprehension of justice and reconciliation but also charts a course toward constructing fairer and more peaceful societies.
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