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The Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrilla group pledged in Havana on Sunday to work for the rights of the victims of the armed conflict.
In a joint statement, both sides said they "will work following the 10 guidelines previously agreed, especially in the recognition and guarantee of the victims' rights."
On Saturday, 12 victims from all sides in the Colombian conflict addressed peace negotiators in Havana, marking the first time that victims have been given an official voice in peace talks to end the 50-year armed conflict.
Both sides, in the Sunday statement, highlighted the " environment of solemnity, respect and attention" to listen to the victims, thanking them for sharing their "testimonies, opinions and proposals made with courage and openness."
"These testimonies, together with other thousands of testimonies and proposals carried in the previous meetings with the victims will be an essential input for the building of the agreements. These testimonies are a reminder of our work to end the conflict, the building of lasting peace and reconciliation," said the statement.
The 12 witnesses from all sides in the Colombian conflict are the first of a group of 60 to testify before the negotiators who have been working toward a comprehensive peace deal with Cuba as host for nearly two years.
How to compensate the victims is one of the six main issues of the peace talks and one of the most complex because both the government and the guerrilla group have admitted responsibility for the 50-year armed conflict that has killed 220,000 people and left more than 5 million displaced.
The Colombian government and the FARC have reached deals on three points of the six-point peace agenda: eliminating illicit drug trafficking, land reforms and political engagement with rebel groups.
The other points left to address are disarmament and the mechanism by which the final peace deal will be adopted.
