WOLA: Advocacy for Human Rights in the Americas
Event

Faces of Violence: Understanding Colombia’s Conflict through the Lens of Jesús Abad Colorado

2:00-3:30PM Thursday, 13 October 2022
Washington DC

AP Photo/Fernando Vergara

Renowned Colombian photographer Jesús “Chucho” Abad Colorado has spent the last 30 years documenting the atrocities of his country’s armed conflict, the faces of its victims and the related damage to its diverse and rich ecosystems. María Belén Sáez de Ibarra, director of the Center for Cultural Heritage at Colombia’s National University, curated this first series of photography books which tell the stories of thousands of victims of the ongoing armed conflict. The series, collectively titled “The Witness,” complements both his permanent exhibit in Bogotá and his Netflix documentary of the same name.

This edited volume comes at a critical moment for Colombia’s long-standing memory and truth-telling processes. The country’s Truth Commission recently released their final report, and the Special Jurisdiction of Peace (JEP) has advanced on important prosecutions against military officers and former FARC guerilla commanders. Meanwhile, renewed peace negotiations with remaining armed groups, including the National Liberation Army (ELN), have brought greater attention to the suffering of communities afflicted by continued armed conflict. The stories of victims —their faces, tragedies and resilience— will continue to be a part of Colombia’s path toward peace and reconciliation.

Join the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), Colombia’s National University and the Atlantic Council for the launch of “The Witness,” featuring reflections from Abad and Sáez on the human toll of armed conflict, the deep scars that violence creates on the environment, the resilience of victims and the voices of resistance for peace. A reception will follow the conversation.

This event will be hosted in Spanish, with simultaneous English interpretation available both in-person at USIP’s headquarters and as part of the online livestream.

Event Details 

October 13, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM EST

Washington, D.C.  

Please register for the event here

(Please specify if you will be in-person or virtual)

Camila Hernandez, opening remarks

Senior Director, Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center, Atlantic Council

Jesús Abad Colorado

Colombian Photographer

María Belén Saez de Ibarra 

Curator and Director of the Center for Cultural Heritage, National University of Colombia

Gimena Sánchez-Garzoli, closing remarks

Director for the Andes, WOLA

Tonis Montes, moderator

Program Officer, Latin America Program, USIP

Love our content? Unlock even more!

Sign up with your email to receive exclusive reports and expert research directly to your inbox every week.

 

(Your privacy is important to us; your information will be kept confidential and secure.)