DDR & CHILD SOLDIER ISSUES: A MONTHLY REVIEW C O L O M B IA

The GOC and FARC delegations issued a joint statement emphasizing a productive and intense round of negotiations. All FARC commanders have now been involved in the peace process. The GOC reached an agreement with Colombia's political parties to promote reforms related to the status of opposition parties, amendments to the electoral system, and financing of political parties. A draft bill was discussed in Congress to implement peace agreements, which will need congressional approval. The ELN guerrilla group released a police officer and a local politician, but continued armed actions, including attacks on police in Cauca and Cauca, and recruitment of minors in Nariño. The GOC ordered the military to maintain its offensive against the ELN until the group stops kidnapping and releases all hostages. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) supports the Government of Colombia through the Recruitment and Reintegration Program. The program provides institutional strengthening to support demobilized adults and disengaged children through reintegration services. Demobilized adults, totaling 57,907, were primarily from the FARC, with 71% being male and 29% female. Disengaged children and adolescents, totaling 5,984, were also primarily from the FARC, with 60% being male and 40% female.