Building peace from exile: restorative paths for victims of the Colombian armed conflict

Colombia’s transitional justice framework explicitly integrates restorative justice principles through institutions such as the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), the Truth Commission, and the Unit for the Search of Disappeared Persons. Yet, the lived experiences of victims in exile raise important questions about the accessibility, inclusiveness, and effectiveness of these mechanisms. This paper examines the narratives of Colombian victims residing in Catalonia, focusing on their perceptions of justice, reparation, and participation in these restorative settings. Findings reveal significant structural and symbolic barriers to formal engagement, including bureaucratic complexity, distrust of institutions, consular neglect, and the absence of specialized support abroad. At the same time, informal spaces of dialogue are described as deeply reparative, offering understanding, support, and mutual solidarity. These results underscore the need to expand restorative approaches beyond national borders and formal institutions, while recognizing exile as an ongoing form of victimization requiring tailored responses.