2024-08-28 21:40:31
In a new attempt to reform the Colombian rural sector, the National Government, led by Gustavo Petro, presented to the Congress of the Republic a bill that seeks to regulate agrarian and rural jurisdiction. This initiative, which had already been presented in the previous legislature, but was sunk due to lack of processing, seeks to guarantee access to justice for rural communities and to resolve land-related conflicts in an agile and effective manner.
The project, which was submitted by the Ministers of the Interior, Juan Fernando Cristo; Justice, Angela Maria Buitrago; and Agriculture, Martha Carvajalino, has the support of various social and agricultural organizations. According to Minister Cristo, this initiative represents “a commitment of the government to the Colombian countryside and to the construction of a more equitable society.”
Agrarian judges
One of the most important points of the project is the creation of a judicial system specializing in agrarian matters. Agrarian judges will have the authority to resolve conflicts related to the possession and ownership of land, easements, boundaries and other matters specific to the rural sector. In addition, mechanisms will be established to guarantee the participation of communities in judicial processes and the training of specialists in agrarian law will be promoted.
Another important aspect is the search for expeditious solutions to agrarian conflicts. The project establishes maximum time limits for the resolution of cases and simplifies judicial procedures. It also seeks to guarantee access to justice for the most vulnerable populations, such as rural women, small producers and ethnic groups.
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There is no ‘Express’ expropriation
One of the issues that generated the most debate during the presentation of the project was that of expropriation. The Minister of Justice clarified that the initiative does not contemplate a figure of “express expropriation”, but rather conforms to current legislation, which establishes the requirements and procedures for expropriation for reasons of public utility.
“Agrarian jurisdiction is a fundamental step to guarantee peace in the countryside and build a more just and equitable society,” said the Minister of Agriculture, Martha Carvajalino. The Government hopes that Congress will approve this initiative as soon as possible so that Colombian farmers can access more prompt and effective justice.
What is agrarian jurisdiction?
The agrarian jurisdiction is a judicial system specialized in the resolution of conflicts related to land and agricultural activities. Its objective is to guarantee access to justice for rural communities and promote the sustainable development of the agricultural sector.
Benefits of agrarian jurisdiction:
It facilitates access to justice for rural communities, especially the most vulnerable groups. It establishes mechanisms to resolve conflicts quickly and efficiently. It has judges specialized in agrarian matters, which guarantees a greater understanding of the problems of the sector. It promotes the participation of communities in judicial processes. It contributes to the sustainable development of the agricultural sector.
The Government hopes that the approval of this project will significantly advance the construction of a stable and lasting peace in the Colombian countryside.
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