Managing insecurity: displacement and return during the Colombian conflict

Lead Research Organisation: University of London
Department Name: Inst of Commonwealth Studies

Abstract

Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description In Colombia, where five million people have been displaced by the armed conflict (desplazados), return is a highly controversial subject, as each individual return is seen as a concrete but contested expression of the State_s ability to recuperate security through military means. This political sensitivity and the difficulty in accessing research participants result in an alarming lack of knowledge about how such returns actually play out in practice and about the impact of laws and policies in this area.



My PhD combined social science and legal methodologies to address these two key gaps in the data. Based inter alia on 243 interviews in seven regions of Colombia (regional capital cities and rural return zones), it generated the following three main research findings:



1. Most returns occur to zones of active conflict;

2. Returnees utilise various strategies to increase community resilience to harm and livelihood risks;

3. State law, policy and practice around returns display serious shortcomings, including failure to recognise/support returnees' local strategies to manage insecurity.



Grounded in these research findings, the project sought to stimulate urgently-needed dialogue to create a knowledge-led policy and practice by government, international and local bodies to help mitigate the problem of insecurity in returns during armed conflict. This knowledge exchange took place primarily during the months of August and September 2010 in Colombia.
Exploitation Route The inauguration of Juan Manuel Santos as President of Colombia in August 2010, and the impetus he provided to the draft laws concerning reparation of the victims of the armed conflict and restitution of lands, provided an unexpected opportunity for directly impacting upon the Colombian legal framework on IDPs.



An unexpected opportunity to create awareness about the reality of Colombian IDP returns with Venezuelan government officials working with Colombian refugees arose indirectly from knowledge exchange activities concerning the reparation of IDPs that were undertaken as part of the project in Colombia. The regulations for implementing the broad provisions of Law 1448/11 deal in detail with the issue of return. It appears that those responsible for drafting these regulations have had access to my project findings. There is thus the strong potential for future impact here.
Sectors Communities and Social Services/Policy,Education,Government, Democracy and Justice,Security and Diplomacy

 
Description 1. The Colombian House of Representatives and House of Senators, and Ministry of Agriculture took the project findings into account to make six significant and positive modifications to the draft law for the reparation of victims and restitution of lands, which was subsequently adopted by the Colombian Congress on 10 June 2011 as Law 1448/11 on 'attention, assistance and integral reparation measures for victims of the internal armed conflict'. 2. Project findings will be studied by Constitutional Court when it convokes a special audience on theme of reparation and land restitution in coming months. 3. Project findings are currently being studied by Colombian Ministry of Defence, Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law office, with a view to redrafting Armed Forces' Directives governing their interaction with process of returns by IDPs. 4. The disseminated project findings also led to increased awareness of the topic of IDP returns across 33 government bodies in Colombia working in or on the protection of IDPs. 5. Project findings taken into account by UNHCR, OHCHR and Norwegian Refugee Council in designing projects relating to return of IDPs. 6. The disseminated project findings also led to increased awareness of the topic of IDP returns across 36 international and local organisations in Colombia working in or on the protection of IDPs. 7. The disseminated project findings led to increased awareness of the topic of IDP returns across 12 foreign embassies in Colombia that fund human rights projects in Colombia. 8. The disseminated project findings led to increased awareness of wider issues relating to IDP returns in 14 returned communities. 9. The disseminated project findings led to increased awareness of the topic of IDP returns among the general public in Colombia. 10. The disseminated project findings led to increased awareness of the topic of IDP returns among about a dozen Venezuelan government departments working with Colombian refugees.
First Year Of Impact 2011
Sector Communities and Social Services/Policy,Government, Democracy and Justice,Other
Impact Types Societal,Economic,Policy & public services

 
Description Challenges in the prosecution of the crime of forced displacement 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact Seminar organised as a means to train the newly created unit of the Colombian Prosecutor's Office responsible for investigating the crime of forced displacement
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : El retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact Returns and IDPs Workshop on the theme of returns organised by UN OCHA in Colombia; attended by 26 international, governmental and academic bodies
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/spip.php?article989
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day, they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Estrategias para manejar la inseguridad : el retorno de los desplazados en Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact This paper was given to various government and research bodies as well as international organisations on this day; they cannot be named for security reasons.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
URL http://www.colombiassh.org/reh/IMG/pdf_David_Cantor_Returns_Colombia.pdf
 
Description Forced displacement in international humanitarian law and human rights law 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact Presentation for training delivered to the new unit of the Prosecutor's Office dedicated to investigating forced displacement
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
 
Description La protección de los desplazados y el contexto colombiano 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Primary Audience
Results and Impact Seminar delivered to officials from a dozen government departments working with Colombian refugees
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity
 
Description Profesor David Cantor, especialista en temas de desplazamiento y refugiados, comenta la Ley de Víctimas de Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Radio interview of 12:50 minutes duration with Julio Sanchez-Cristo on the most popular morning radio show in Colombia (and internationally)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2011
 
Description Refugees in Colombia and the world 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Pre-recorded interview for forthcoming programme on refugee and IDP issues in Colombia and elsewhere
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2011
 
Description Retorno de desplazados se convierte en una pesadilla 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Interview published in Colombian newspaper El Diario del Sur

El Diario del Sur
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2011
URL http://www.diariodelsur.com.co/nvodiariodelsur/portal/paginas/vernoticia.php?id_noticia=5034
 
Description Retorno en Colombia sería el más complejo del mundo 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Interview published by Colombian newspaper El Colombiano

El Colombiano
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2011
URL http://www.elcolombiano.com/BancoConocimiento/R/retorno_en_colombia_seria_el_mas_complejo_del_mundo/...
 
Description Return and displacement in Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact 'Talking heads' expert opinion to contextualise debate
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2010
 
Description Strategies to manage insecurity : return and displacement in Colombia 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Podcast from UN OCHA event: Conference, Dr David Cantor, Workshop on Returns and Displacement
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2010
URL http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/11581090