In Colombia, forensic teams are uncovering mass graves linked to the country’s decades-long conflict. Former soldiers, once involved in targeting victims, are now assisting in the recovery effort.

Neiva

In Neiva, Colombia, forensic teams are working to recover the remains of unidentified victims from mass graves, with the assistance of retired soldiers who previously participated in extrajudicial killings. This initiative is part of a broader peace process established after the 2016 peace deal, which created a special court to try both former guerrillas and soldiers for war crimes. Under this system, perpetrators can avoid prison by fully disclosing the truth and participating in reparative actions before sentencing.

Despite progress, the search for missing persons remains challenging, with only a small fraction of recovered bodies identified and returned to families. The process has provided some families with relief and a sense of unity, as both victims and perpetrators contribute to uncovering the truth and fostering reconciliation in Colombia.

Colombia mass graves: Former soldiers aid recovery of victims

Forensic teams are recovering the remains of unidentified victims in this cemetery in the city of Neiva. In one of the first projects of its kind, retired soldiers once responsible for carrying out atrocities are among the searchers. Felipe Ramirez is a former lieutenant and has confessed to being involved in 11 extrajudicial killings. Between 2002 and 2008, more than 6,000 civilians were murdered and falsely presented as rebels killed in combat to boost body counts and secure promotions and other benefits. For a long time, I was really blind to what I had done. I always justified it, one way or another, until I arrived at the Special Jurisdiction for Peace. Now I know the irreparable harm I've done and how it continues to torment the relatives of the victims. Felipe's work is part of a 2016 peace deal which demobilized FARC rebels and created a special court to try both guerrillas and soldiers for war crimes. But unlike traditional justice, they can avoid prison in exchange for disclosing the truth and making reparations that begin before they're sentenced. The peace court is trying to forge new paths for restoration. The reduction in punishment must include major restorative elements and in many ways it has to be invented. It's growing out of the initiatives of the victims and the willingness of the perpetrators. It's something new. But with more than 130,000 people still missing, progress is slow. This is just one of 15 sites forensic teams are working on in this cemetery. So far they have recovered 96 bodies, but only 10 of them have been fully identified and their remains returned to their families, which gives you an idea of just how difficult and overwhelming the search remains. Yet some families here are getting answers. And even those who are still waiting say the process has brought them relief and a sense of belonging. Like Yolanda Rocha, who has searched for her brother's remains for more than 30 years. This process has been vital for us victims, helping us believe again after years of stigma and closed doors. Sharing our stories has united us like a family. It's made us stronger, no longer afraid to speak out. Prison alone gives us nothing, but perpetrators telling us what happened and pointing to where victims may be brings us truth. As many as 60% of Colombia's disappeared may lie in cemeteries like this one. Now with perpetrators helping the search, both culprits and victims believe Colombia's learning that reconciliation is possible, one however small step at a time. Alessandro Ampietti, Al Jazeera, Neiva.

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