(VOVworld) - The United Nations' High Commissioner for Human Rights in Colombia, Todd Howland, suggested on Tuesday that the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the Colombian government should establish a truce in order to mitigate the recent escalation of the conflict. Howland said that since the FARC suspended the unilateral ceasefire, there have been violent acts that not only affected members of the security forces, but violated the human rights of civilians.

Ivan Marquez (center), a member of FARC’s peace delegation, at a press conference following the 37th peace negotiation between Columbia government and FARC in Cuba on June 4th (Photo: AFP/ VNA)

On the same day, Ivan Marquez, a member of FARC’s peace delegation, warned that the peace process between FARC and Columbia’s government would likely fail if conflict continued. He said it was time to stop the war in order not to damage the peace process and prevent further useless victimization. He also called on President Juan Manuel Santos to create opportunities to bring an end to the hostilities and the war.

Conflicts between Columbia’s government and the rebels have escalated in the last month since the government resumed air strikes, raising concerns about the consequences for the peace process which started in November, 2012.