How cuts under Colombia’s de la Espriella threaten a key human rights court

What the report says

Al Jazeera reports that Colombia’s government under President Abelardo de la Espriella is moving to sharply reduce funding for the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), the transitional justice court created by the 2016 peace deal with the former FARC rebels. The proposed 2027 budget would cut JEP’s funding by about 181 billion Colombian pesos, or roughly $57 million, and a Senate committee has also advanced a separate bill that would eliminate the court by March 2028 and shift its duties to the ordinary justice system.

The article says victims of Colombia’s long internal conflict, along with lawyers and rights advocates, fear the changes would weaken investigations into war crimes, disappearances and other abuses. It centers on people such as Angela Cordon, who says JEP helped her learn what happened to her father and uncle, both of whom disappeared during the conflict. Critics argue that fewer resources would mean fewer field missions, less witness cooperation and slower progress in cases that have offered some families answers after years of uncertainty.

De la Espriella says the cuts are part of a broader effort to control spending and manage public debt, which he says is rising. However, opponents note that the overall 2027 budget is still larger than before, and they question whether cost-cutting is the real motive. Some rights groups and lawmakers have also appealed to the International Criminal Court for support, warning that the changes could undermine justice and accountability in a country still dealing with the legacy of decades of armed conflict.