The reparations, are they impossible to pay? The case of the reparations policy for survivors of sexual violence and victims of the armed conflict in Colombia

The right to reparation for victims of human rights violations is one of the cornerstones
of transitional justice, and a principle widely recognized both in the literature and in
human rights standards. Despite its importance, administrative reparation programs are
frequently singled out as policies with high costs and little effectiveness. However, the
literature on reparations has overlooked the question of the financial viability of these
programs. This text provides an analysis of the financing of administrative reparation
programs, particularly in the context of reparations for sexual violence, based on the
Colombian experience.We analyze how the financial viability of the reparations policy
established in 2011 was defined,how the budget allocated to reparations has evolved
between 2012 and 2022, and what role reparations for acts of sexual violence have
played within this framework. This allows us to identify methodological, conceptual, and
political elements that are crucial for determining what has worked well and what has
been problematic in this process. Based on this case, we discuss factors that should
be taken into account in various contexts to ensure sustainable programs that meet
the rights of victims of human rights violations, especially survivors of sexual violence.