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Jennings told President Santos that he must never forget the sacrifice of the Colombian people, as the peace process moves forward. The UNI GS made his point vividly by showing Santos, the wrist-band he was wearing marking the death of Rosa Acevedo Quiroz, a Colombian union member murdered on that very day 23 years ago.

Jennings further reminded Santos that Rosa was one of 3700 union members murdered amongst 220,000 victims of the war.

Santos said that throughout the process, victims of Colombia’s 52-year civil conflict were the “pillar” of peace negotiations that culminated in a settlement last November.

At the UNI Americas Conference in Medellin Colombia in December, participants wore wrist-bands with the names of union victims of the war. Colombian unions have been widely praised for their contribution to the peace process. UNI Americas has urged Santos to honour his promises to respect freedom of association, collective bargaining and the right to join a union in Colombia's new era of enlightenment.