Colombia, Law 1424 Benefits Former Members of AUC and Guerillas

•According to Law 1424 passed last December, any demobilized members of AUC or guerilla groups can receive benefits as long as they have not committed crimes against humanity.
•El Colombiano reveals that if a demobilized person fills the requirements of the law, the order of capture will be suspended for half of what the sentenced time would be so that he/she may gain freedom and be integrated into society.
•One of the criticisms of the law is that the word of the accused individual should not be the only proof of innocence of atrocities to be accepted, and as Reed Hurtado suggests, there should be an extensive investigation carried out to ascertain innocence.
•If the individual’s testimony of innocence is proved false, he/she will not receive any benefits and is to be judged under regular law.
• 1,338 demobilized individuals have professed innocence, and law 1424 is to benefit 20,000.
•4,000 still have to register for reintegration programs. Read Article