Havana, August 13 (RHC)-- The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army (FARC-EP) and the Colombian Government have unveiled an independent mechanism for selecting judges for special peace tribunals, a process in which the two sides expect the participation of Pope Francis and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon.
The agreement outlined Friday in Havana, Cuba, mentions the designation of prominent figures and institutions that will namethe members of the judge selection committee.
The figures and institutions proposed by the government of President Juan Manuel Santos and the FARC include Pope Francis, Ban Ki-Moon, the Criminal Chamber of Colombia's Supreme Court, the Colombian delegation to International Center for Transitional Justice, and the Standing Committee of the State University System.
The Tribunal for Peace will be made up of 24 judges: 20 of them Colombian and four from other countries.
A separate group made up of 18 Colombian judges and six foreigners will handle matters such as acknowledgment of truth and responsibility, amnesty, and the determination of legal status.
These bodies will try those accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity, while "political crimes" or offenses of lesser severity will be eligible for amnesty.
