National Day for the Dignity of the Victims of the Genocide against Unión Patriótica in Colombia

October 11 is a day when Colombians remember that just a few years ago the political movement Patriotic Union was considered an alternative and a hope for transformation and democratic openness. The movement was systematically and gradually destroyed by various actors, including the traditional authorities, with more than 6,000 victims.

In 1986, the Patriotic Union (UP) plenary proposed Jaime Pardo Leal, former magistrate of the Supreme Court of Justice and founder of the National Association of Employees of the Judicial Branch, as the movement's candidate for the presidency of the Republic. It was the first time in the country that a leftist party achieved such a high vote and in such a short time of electoral campaign. In addition, the UP had managed in that year to position 14 congressmen, 20 deputies and more than 350 councilors.

The Corporación Reiniciar began the process of meeting with the relatives and survivors of the genocide against the Unión Patriótica in the different regions and formed the National Coordination of victims and relatives of the genocide against the Unión Patriótica. Together with the sons and daughters of the victims, a bill was filed for Congress to approve October 11 as the National Day of the Victims of the Genocide against the Patriotic Union, not only to demand justice for the victims and their families, but also to vindicate their legacy of peace, which is still in force.