Colombian President Iván Duque announces a reform of the Police amid protests

The Colombian president, Iván Duque, has announced this Sunday a “profound transformation” of the Police to strengthen respect for human rights, after complaints of excessive use of force in the protests of the last month. “I want to share with all of you and the Colombian people what will become a modernization of the Ministry of Defense and a permanent transformation of our National Police,” said the head of state at a police promotion ceremony in Bogotá.

The announcement occurs in the midst of the national strike, which began on April 28, in which thousands of people have taken to the streets of the country asking Duque for changes in his social and economic policy and a police reform, in protests that have left 20 dead, according to the Prosecutor's Office, and 75, according to social organizations.

The comprehensive transformation strategy is contained in a bill that will be presented to Congress on July 20 at the beginning of the next legislature..

The changes imply, among other things, the creation of the Vice Ministry of Defense Policy and Citizen Security, as well as a very strict regulation to limit the commercialization, carrying and use of weapons, after the invasion of armed civilians in the last days of protests.

Among the points revealed today of these changes is the “legal and legitimate use of force, with the incorporation of international practices and standards”. Several international agencies, including some from the UN, have condemned the excessive use of force by the Police, in containing the protests, and even weapons and utensils not allowed by international standards..

The National Police in Colombia, and the controversial Military Riot Squad (Esmad) depend on the Ministry of Defense and have military training for their participation in the armed conflict that has devastated the country for decades..

The reform also contemplates the creation of a Human Rights Directorate within the Police for the “prevention, protection and respect for Human Rights and the strengthening of institutional policy”.

In the same way, Duque explained, a new Disciplinary Statute will be made, the General Inspectorate of the institution will be restructured and a new system will be created to receive complaints and denunciations..

Another point refers to the strengthening of the education and training of the members of the institution, with an emphasis on increasing and implementing professional standards in the use of force, human rights and citizen service..

Among the changes to be made by the Police is that the uniform, which is currently military green, will be changed to blue to align with international standards that emphasize the civilian character of the institution, according to the Government. “Blue color is incorporated an attribute that transmits empathy, courtesy, tranquility and confidence for the citizenship,” Duque has explained.

In addition, the president has indicated that the Ministry of Defense will change its name to the Ministry of National Defense and Citizen Security.