Reparations of Victims of Armed Conflict in Colombia: What Do Victims Want and How Does Social Proximity with Perpetrators Affect These Needs and Expectations? 1 International Studies Association 51 st Annual Convention Theory vs. Policy? Connecting Scholars and Practitioners New Orleans, LA – United States February 18, 2010 DRAFT ‐ PLEASE DO NOT CIRCULATE Angelika Rettberg, Ph.D. and Juan Diego Prieto 2 Department of Political Science Universidad de los Andes Bogotá – Colombia Abstract The reparation of victims of armed conflicts ranks high on the list of peacebuilding priorities. Reparations are considered not only just, but also a necessary antidote for future violence. However, as in other domains of the peacebuilding activity and literature, we have little empirical evidence about what the actual victims want and need. In addition, we know little about how social proximity among victims and perpetrators, as is frequent in Colombia, affects what victims feel and need in terms of reparations. In this paper we present data from a survey of Colombian victims designed to find out about victims’ needs and expectations in terms of reparation. In addition, we present findings of a more specific study on how social proximity among victims and perpetrators affects these expectations. From a conceptual point of view, the findings provide better understanding of the complex predicaments faced by victims of armed conflicts. In addition, they help us understand how differences in social proximity among domestic armed conflicts may be linked to differences among victims in terms of what they need and expect in terms of reparation. From a practical perspective, findings provide input for policymakers to design violence prevention schemes in Colombian communities. Keywords: Colombia, Latin America, transitional justice, reparations, peacebuilding, local coexistence Introduction The reparation of material and emotional damages suffered by victims of human rights violations is a central component of present‐day transitional justice processes around the world 1 This paper is based on the studies published in Rettberg (2008) and Rettberg & Prieto (2010, forthcoming). We are indebted to the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit and its ProFis program in Colombia for their funding of our field research. We also thank Natalia Lombana, Camilo Vargas and all other Universidad de los Andes students who participated in data collection, and all the victims organizations and government institutions through which we were able to contact individual victims. 2 Angelika Rettberg, Ph.D., is Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science of the Universidad de los Andes and founder and director of its Peacebuilding Research Program (ConPaz). Juan Diego Prieto is a Master’s student at the Department of Political Science of the Universidad de los Andes and research assistant for ConPaz.