The Horror of the Furnaces: Destroyed Evidence and Anonymous Ashes

Abstract

The era of violence in Colombia has transformed into a perpetual struggle for peace. Outlaw groups have persisted over time, perpetrating atrocities against the civilian population; however, efforts have been made to mitigate the effects of such brutality and savagery through the participation of the Colombian Armed Forces and Human Rights Organizations. The results of these previous efforts are inconclusive because, despite the existence of norms, laws, and principles of protection, acts of barbarity against Colombian citizens continue. In this context, this reflective article seeks to reflect the background of violence in Colombia, a story that remains unresolved, along with a case of civil rights violations: the crematorium ovens of Norte de Santander, which in the early decades of the 21st century were the site of atrocious Nazi-style disappearances. Based on this, the application of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and its effectiveness in this case will be examined.