More than 1, civilians were killed by the security forces or paramilitary groups operating with their support or acquiescence. Many victims were tortured before being killed. At least people "disappeared". Human rights activists were threatened and attacked; at least six were killed. Several army officers were charged in connection with human rights violations; many others continued to evade accountability. Armed opposition groups were responsible for numerous human rights abuses, including deliberate and arbitrary killings and the taking of hundreds of hostages.
He immediately announced his willingness to negotiate with armed opposition groups to end decades of armed conflict. In October Congress gave preliminary approval to a draft bill designed to incorporate the crimes of forced disappearance, genocide and massacre into the Penal Code.
A previous bill had failed to pass a second hearing see Amnesty International Report Congress again failed to pass a draft bill to reform the Military Penal Code which had received preliminary approval in December see Amnesty International Report The government announced a national human rights action program which included steps to combat impunity and to protect human rights defenders. During a visit to Colombia in October, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reiterated the UN's concern about the human rights situation and, while welcoming the possibility of peace talks, clarified that international standards exclude the possibility of amnesties or pardons for crimes against humanity.
In July the ELN signed an agreement with representatives of "civil society", committing the organization to initiating a peace process. In addition, the ELN agreed to end certain practices which violated international humanitarian law and reaffirmed its acceptance of recommendations made by Amnesty International, including the ending of deliberate and arbitrary killings of non-combatants.
A meeting in October between government representatives and the ELN command decided to hold a series of "national conventions" in to discuss issues including human rights, justice and impunity, as a prelude to formal peace talks.
