Juan Méndez to Colombian Selection Committee
ICTJ Names Human Rights Leader Juan Méndez to
Colombian Selection Committee
NEW YORK,
February 4, 2017 — The International Center for
Transitional Justice (ICTJ) has named Juan E. Méndez as its
delegate to the Colombian Selection Committee created by the
2016 peace agreement signed between the Colombian government
and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia
(FARC).
This committee was created as an independent and
impartial mechanism to select the magistrates of the Special
Jurisdiction for Peace, the Commissioners of the Truth
Commission and other key officials, which are necessary for
the implementation of the justice agenda contained in the
agreement.
Méndez is a globally recognized jurist and
human rights expert. He was President of ICTJ from 2004 to
2009 and now serves as its President
Emeritus.
Over the years, he has held several prominent
roles, including as the UN Special Adviser on the Prevention
of Genocide; the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other
Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or
Punishment; Special Adviser on Prevention to
the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court; and
Co-Chair of the Human Rights Institute of the International
Bar Association.
The Colombian government and FARC
invited ICTJ, the UN Secretary-General, the Criminal Chamber
of the Supreme Court, the President of the European Court of
Human Rights and the Council of Public Universities of
Colombia to each appoint a delegate to carry out this
important function.
With this appointment, ICTJ
reiterates its commitment to contribute to the full
implementation of the Comprehensive System for Truth,
Justice, Reparations, and Guarantees of Non-Recurrence
contained in the new peace accord.