The “Comisión de la Verdad” (Truth Commission) was created as part of a historic peace agreement between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). It is one of the three institutions that make up the Colombian Comprehensive System of Truth, Justice, Reparation and Non-Repetition, set up under the 2016 peace agreement. Since it started functioning in 2018, the Truth Commission has worked to shed light on five decades of atrocities and human rights violations committed during the country’s armed conflict. It has advocated for the rights of millions of victims – children, women and men –  who themselves have fought tirelessly to be heard, for their collective and individual stories of suffering and resistance to be made public, and for their rights to be acknowledged and restored.

The Truth Commission presented its final report on 28 June 2022 and its conclusions are essential for building the peace Colombia so desperately needs. The report marks the culmination of hours of interviews with victims, armed actors and public servants involved in the conflict between the Colombian state and FARC.

Sakharov Prize: shortlist to be announced on 13/10.

The Left nominated @ComisionVerdadC for its work shedding light on atrocities committed in Colombia's armed conflict.

“This candidature pays tribute to victims. Without truth, reconciliation is not possible" – @MiguelUrban. pic.twitter.com/ieDdrFW8m3

— The Left in the European Parliament (@Left_EU) October 12, 2022

Comision de la Verdad was shortlisted for the Sakharov prize.

Miguel Urbán Crespo MEP (Anticapitalistas, Spain) said about the proposal:

“This candidature pays tribute to the victims, whose courage and persistence were the basis for the Truth Commission’s creation. It is also an opportunity to support the peace process in Colombia, and to highlight access to truth, justice and reparation for victims as a necessary first step in peacebuilding. Without truth, reconciliation is not possible. Without reconciliation, the risk of repetition remains real.”