A conversation with Colombia’s Special Jurisdiction for Peace: Sharing experiences on transitional justice in Colombia

July 17, 2025
1:00–2:45 p.m. (EST)
Permanent Mission of Columbia to the United Nations
801 Second Avenue, 12 Floor. New York, NY, 10017

This event will take place in English and Spanish, with simultaneous interpretation provided. A light lunch will be served.

This event is hosted by the Permanent Mission of Colombia to the United Nations, and co-sponsored by Colombia’s Special Jurisdiction for Peace, the NYU Center on International Cooperation and the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice at the NYU School of Law.

The Special Jurisdiction for Peace (SJP) in Colombia represents a pioneering model of transitional justice, designed to address the grave human rights violations committed during the armed conflict. Established as part of the 2016 Peace Agreement, the SJP aims to investigate, prosecute, and sanction serious crimes while promoting truth, justice, reparation, and guarantees of non-repetition.

Operating beyond the traditional justice system, the SJP conducts in-depth investigations into crimes against humanity, uncovering previously unknown information provided by victims, civil society, and perpetrators during their testimonies. This approach has enabled the clarification of events that were previously shrouded in impunity, surpassing the level of truth achieved by the ordinary justice system.

The Special Jurisdiction for Peace (SJP) in Colombia represents a pioneering model of transitional justice, designed to address the grave human rights violations committed during the armed conflict. Established as part of the 2016 Peace Agreement, the SJP aims to investigate, prosecute, and sanction serious crimes while promoting truth, justice, reparation, and guarantees of non-repetition.

Operating beyond the traditional justice system, the SJP conducts in-depth investigations into crimes against humanity, uncovering previously unknown information provided by victims, civil society, and perpetrators during their testimonies. This approach has enabled the clarification of events that were previously shrouded in impunity, surpassing the level of truth achieved by the ordinary justice system.

The SJP has addressed emblematic cases such as the kidnappings perpetrated by the Farc-EP, achieving significant progress in identifying victims and locating remains of individuals reported as disappeared. Additionally, it has managed to indict high-ranking military officials as well as Farc-EP leaders and uncovered systematic patterns of extrajudicial executions that traditional criminal justice had been unable to clarify.

In its pursuit of restorative justice, the SJP emphasizes the importance of repairing harm and restoring relationships. It offers a dialogical pathway for those who deliver truth and accept responsibility, while also encompassing an adversarial process when there is no acknowledgment of truth or responsibility by the defendant. This dual approach ensures the guarantee of victims’ right to justice, even in the absence of cooperation from the perpetrator.

The SJP’s innovative model has garnered international recognition. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has acknowledged the SJP as a model that meets the standards of the Rome Statute and meets the needs of the victims. Furthermore, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) recognized the SJP as a successful example of citizen engagement in decision-making processes, emphasizing how this approach enhances transparency and accountability in policy implementation.

The panel’s objective is to present the advancements of the SJP and to facilitate a dialogue where attendees can address their questions and engage in meaningful discussions. This approach ensures a comprehensive understanding of the SJP’s progress and fosters an interactive environment conducive to learning and exchange. By sharing insights and addressing inquiries, the panel aims to enhance transparency and promote informed conversations about the SJP’s role and impact.

Speakers

  • Pablo de Greiff, Senior fellow and director of the Transitional Justice Program at the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice, NYU (moderator)
  • Alejandro Ramelli Arteaga, President of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace
  • Juan Ramón Martínez Vargas, Vice-pPresident, Acknowledgement Section
  • Julieta Lemaitre Ripoll, Magistrate of the Judicial Panel for Acknowledgment of Truth and Responsibility
  • Fabián Martínez Guerrero, Assistant Magistrate of the Chamber in Cases of Absence of Acknowledgement of Truth and Responsibility

The event will be held in a panel format, where the SJP magistrates will each give a brief presentation. After their presentations, a discussion session with the audience will be opened, moderated by Pablo de Greiff, who—drawing on his expertise—will lead the conversation and pose questions designed to enrich dialogue and exchange around the topic.

Stay Connected

Subscribe to our newsletter and receive regular updates on our latest events, analysis, and resources.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
]