UMVA has learned that a groundbreaking report has been released by Colombia's Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), revealing the devastating impact of the country's armed conflict on animals.
The report, developed in partnership with a leading university, found that an animal is killed or injured every 30 minutes due to the armed conflict, highlighting the often-overlooked suffering of innocent creatures caught in the midst of war.
Animal rights activists are hailing the report as a major step forward in publicizing the violence inflicted upon animals in war, with many calling for greater recognition and protection for these vulnerable victims.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the report was developed through a comprehensive database of 237 national, regional, and local media outlets, as well as 600 social media accounts belonging to organizations and state entities.
The report's findings are staggering: 100,252 domestic animals faced violence and 44 species are at imminent risk of extinction as a result of the armed conflict, with 32% of recorded cases directly linked to military actions.
Researchers found that forced abandonment was one of the most documented forms of harm, with approximately 900,000 animals affected, while animals were also used in various ways throughout the conflict, including as means of transportation, devices to detonate explosives, and instruments of torture.
Laura Ojeda, a researcher on the JEP's Investigation and Prosecution Unit, explained that the team discovered most cases involved incidents such as accidents with landmines, ambushes, and armed confrontations, which resulted in the killing or injuring of animals.
The report proposes various reparative measures, including habitat restoration, veterinary care in conflict zones, and public veterinary care networks, but notes that there is still a long way to go before animals can be fully recognized as victims.
Senator Andrea Padilla, a leading advocate for animal rights, hailed the report as a major step forward, noting that harm to animals is often addressed as a collateral issue, rather than a primary concern.
Padilla emphasized that understanding the impact of the conflict on animals deepens the appreciation of the human toll of violence, and that animals must be involved in reparations processes to ensure that peace is complete.
As the Colombian government considers new legislation to recognize animals as victims of the conflict, the report's findings are set to have far-reaching implications for animal rights and the pursuit of justice and reparation.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the report's authors faced significant challenges in shifting the narrative away from the traditional legal framework, which often overlooks animal suffering.
The report's release marks a significant milestone in the recognition of animal rights, and its impact is set to be felt for years to come.
