This was raised in the public hearing on one of the projects that it proposes to extend this regulation for 10 more years and in which Ramón Rodríguez, director of the Victims Unit, reiterated the invitation to the Legislature to decide without desire, the extension or not Law 1448.

Various government officials, participants in the public hearing that analyzed the project that plans to extend the Victims Law for 10 years (1448 of 2011), recommended first, wait for the study under way, which includes the achievements and deficiencies in the implementation of that legislation and that the Legislature join the review, before deciding whether or not to renew the regulations that benefit those affected by the conflict throughout the country.

During the session that took place in the First House Commission, Ramon Rodríguez, director of the Victims Unit, said that what was done was to “invite Congress to also join in the work to improve the study on the implementation of the Victims Law”.

“I hope I can accompany the socialization that has been done with the victims, telling what has been found during these nine years. That is the invitation, that they be articulated and accompany us to be able to make a study that corresponds to the needs of victims and that can be fulfilled in a certain time”, he explained.

Rodríguez pointed out that “in Congress the study mentioned must be delivered a year earlier, which is important because it will allow identifying the progress or gray areas where there are problems to complete each of the rights to which the victims have, contemplated in Law 1448".

In Rodriguez's opinion, "the study also allows us to know how many resources we need and identify opportunities for improvement, what needs to be adjusted in the Law and be able to guarantee victims the fulfillment of each of their rights".

Francisco José Chaux, Vice Minister of Interior, agreed to decide whether or not to extend the Victims Law after the aforementioned study is presented. "You have to look at what we can improve and you don't have to extend without any reason", he noted.

In the opinion of Ana María Palau, of the Department of Social Prosperity, “we should not focus the discussion on the extension of the Victims Law. It is more important the assessment, the study that allows us with solid elements to determine the criteria and quantification to meet the victims”.

"We are at the best time to start the process of the initiative that extends the Law, because that would give more peace to all victims and any reform would be welcome", said Odorico Guerra, National coordinator of the Bureau of Effective Participation of Victims.

Carlos Ospina, spokesman for the victims of the Public Force, said that the extension of the Law is a necessity of society and is a duty of our generation to fulfill all those who suffered from the conflict.

In the public hearing also participated several Representatives to the Chamber members of the First Commission, such asuan Carlos Lozada, Jhon Jairo Hoyos, Juanita Goebertus, Cesar Lorduy and Luis Alberto Albán, among others.

(End/AMA/LMY)