Impunity: What Kind of War for Colombia

Colombia, a country in war. As far back as anyone remembers, it’s the same words over and over again : civil war, internal armed conflict, terrorist threats, ideological struggle.. How many deaths and how many missing people as a consequence from the endless war opposing the paramilitary armies (AUC) and the guerrillas (FARC) ? No one can agree on the numbers.

Granting special rights, the new Justice and Peace Law (2005) will enable the paramilitaries who would have confessed their crimes at hearings, to settle back to civilian life. Depending of how guilty they are, they will serve a maximum of 5 to 8 years in prison. 32.000 paramilitary fighters have put their guns down. Roughly a hundred of them have come before the tribunal. The victims families are mostly women, millions of brave and committed women who fight with dignity. They want the to know the truth, they want reparation and justice to be done. For decades, they have been trying to live in peace. A hundred of courageous public servants work regardless of the death threats and the kinds of pressure they face. Their aim is to discover the truth about this war.

Where are the decision makers of this war? Where did the orders come from? What were their motives? What do multinational companies such as Chiquita, Colombian military, businessmen, politicians and drug traffickers of this wonderful country have to say to all this? The film will be followed by a discussion led by Jack Laun, President of Colombia Support Network. Hosted by the CNY Chapter of Colombia Support Network. For more information, contact Ursula, (315) 472-5478

More info: Directed by Juan Jose Lozano and Hollman Morris.  Lozano worked during the 90’ as independent producer and director for documentaries involving the Colombian Television. Morris has spent more than 15 years covering Colombia’s internal armed conflict, with a particular focus on human rights issues. For his commitment to keep the memory of the Colombian contemporary history he has received important prizes around the world: Human Rights Watch Defender, 2007; Ibero-american New Journalism Foundation, 2007, the Nuremberg International Human Rights Prize and recently CAMERA JUSTITIA AWARD – Movies That Matter 2011 The Hague.

Words from Jury: “The Camera Justitia Award is for a film that deals with serious crimes against humanity and the sheer impossibility of getting justice despite overwhelming evidence. It is a deeply emotional film, which bravely accuses at least two countries of collusion with impunity for the perpetrators. Starting with a heartbreaking opening scene, the film skilfully follows the chronology of those seeking truth and justice, narrowing the complex range of issues down to a specific case, overwhelming the audience with the same desperation that threatens to crush the victims and survivors. The Camera Justitia Award 2011 goes to IMPUNITY by Juan José Lozano and Hollman Morris.”

Free to the Public.