Business Actors, Paramilitaries and Transitional Criminal Justice in Colombia

Business Actors, Paramilitaries and Transitional Criminal Justice in Colombia

Abstract

In internal armed conflicts, business actors often play an important role. Yet, their criminal responsibility is rarely addressed in transitional justice (TJ). This article presents a case study of the Colombian transition process with respect to the paramilitaries, which has resulted in hundreds of criminal investigations against business actors in the ordinary justice system. Nonetheless, the large majority continues in impunity. Based on qualitative interviews with public prosecutors, the article analyzes the main obstacles to holding them accountable, arguing that TJ processes should give more emphasis to the private-sector supporters of armed groups so as to prevent the recurrence of violence.

 

Philipp Wesche, Business Actors, Paramilitaries and Transitional Criminal Justice in Colombia, International Journal of Transitional Justice, ijz016, https://doi.org/10.1093/ijtj/ijz016

Further information (Oxford Academic, published on 09 July 2019)