Colombia congress adopts amnesty for rebels under peace pact

BOGOTA – Both houses of Colombia’s congress have approved legislation on amnesty for leftist rebels under the government’s peace accord with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia to end a half century of conflict.

The measure covers most offences committed by fighters but it does not absolve any guerrillas who committed war crimes or human rights violations during a war that caused more than 220,000 deaths and displaced nearly 6 million Colombians.

The Chamber of Deputies passed the measure Wednesday morning, and the Senate followed suit later in the day.

Amnesty was a key step in implementing the peace deal, which calls for FARC fighters to begin disarming at U.N.-monitored camps across Colombia. Officials said Wednesday that 27 demobilization sites are under construction.