Colombia passes the controversial Citizen Security law

On Wednesday, the Colombian Congress approved the bill promoted by the government of Iván Duque. With 60 votes in favour and 10 against, the Citizen Security Law was approved, which aims to strengthen legal and economic instruments to reduce crime in cities and regulate "less lethal" weapons.

The bill has 68 articles that aim, among other things, to impose sentences of more than 58 years for those who commit crimes against children, public forces, journalists and human rights defenders. The law also aims to punish impunity by creating the figure of "danger of impunity" in relation to those who have committed crimes and have been released by the police. For their part, the carrying of weapons and elements that present a risk to the community could be punished as a criminal offence, in addition to punishing elements that cover the identity of the offender.

Another of the most characteristic statements of this project is the protection of legitimate self-defence. The law aims to eliminate criminal liability when private property is being protected, especially private homes or vehicles, excluding public establishments. Attacks against the public transport system or military or police installations would also be punishable by law.

However, the Citizen Security Law has been met with strong opposition. Members of Congress opposed to the law refused to vote on the bill, considering that it "openly and flagrantly violates fundamental principles of the Constitution", referring to the right to life and social mobilisation. Iván Cepeda has been one of the congressmen who has refuted these arguments. Opposition senator Roy Barreras has also assured that he will sue the Constitutional Court, arguing in the House that the law "criminalises protest, legitimises vigilante justice, legalises forms of urban paramilitarism and authorises the shooting of young people".

In addition to these protests, various organisations such as Human Rights Watch and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights have reported that 28 people have died as a result of excessive use of force by the police.

For his part, and in the face of these protests, Colombian President Iván Duque has defended the initiative, stating that "the Citizen Security Law is against criminals", denying the opposition's accusations. "I believe that Colombians are tired of criminal recidivism. Here, with this law, we are imposing exemplary sanctions when there is recidivism", added the head of state. He also alluded to the fact that the law was approved by a large majority in the Congress of the Republic through the interpretation of public sentiment.

The Minister of Defence, Diego Molano, also joined in the defence of the law and clarified that the bill does not give permission to shoot citizens or kill people, but rather seeks to establish legitimate self-defence in a judicial process. "The House of Representatives gives fundamental support to the law on citizen security, a law made for ordinary citizens, which puts an end to recidivism and impunity for criminals who steal, extort and vandalise," added the head of the portfolio.

Latin America Coordinator: José Antonio Sierra