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Senadores y personal legislativo en la plenaria del Senado de Colombia durante la sesión, con documentos en los escritorios
Plenaria del Senado de Colombia durante la sesión en la que se aprobó la Ley de Sometimiento. · Semana

Senate approved the Submission Law and the House now decides

The Senate approved the Submission Law with 57 votes in favor and 24 against on November 3; House approval and conciliation this Wednesday are still needed…

The Senate approved the Submission Law on Tuesday, November 3, with 57 votes in favor and 24 against, on the deadline day, and the text now awaits House approval. --- The context --- The text sets the guidelines for illegal armed groups to submit to justice and establishes the conditions for them to disengage from criminal activities and receive some benefits in return. The initiative also seeks to dismantle the total peace policy of former President Gustavo Petro. --- The facts --- The Senate vote closed with 57 votes in favor and 24 against. Once the House approves the text, the conciliation must take place this Wednesday and, if that is achieved, the bill will move to presidential sanction. The House was also debating the text on Tuesday. Its members were summoned on the holiday Monday because of the urgency of the timetable. --- The positions --- Senate President Honorio Henríquez argued that Colombia needs effective legal tools to dismantle criminal structures and protect victims. Senator Hernán Cadavid, of the Democratic Center and coordinating rapporteur, said the bill is the basis to protect Colombian institutions and that, more than submission to the law, it is an embrace of the Constitution. Daniel Briceño, the House rapporteur, denied any flaw: he said there was a hasty vote, the report was presented in blocks and was supported for more than 20 minutes. --- What remains unknown --- The House still must approve the text and the conciliation this Wednesday must succeed. Controversy remains over an alleged double vote on the positive report. --- Unanswered questions --- Will the House approve the text in the terms voted by the Senate? Will the conciliation be achieved this Wednesday? Will the controversy over the report vote be cleared up? --- EPM analysis --- From a rights-based perspective, the law's value will lie in ensuring submission happens before justice, under clear rules and without losing sight of victims. 📌 EPM Take: In EPM's view, the Senate's approval by 57 votes to 24 leaves the Submission Law one step from a final definition, yet the decisive moment will come in the House and in this Wednesday's conciliation. If the text advances, Colombia will have a framework for illegal armed groups to submit to justice and break away from criminal activities in exchange for some benefits. That path will only be legitimate if it protects victims and respects the Constitution throughout the process.
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