Decolonizing justice

In a country marked by deep historical inequalities and a justice system that still exhibits serious access gaps across various territories, it is essential to rethink how we address conflicts not merely as a technical necessity, but also as an ethical and political imperative. Within this context, the research is presented as a vector for transforming the dominant model of alternative conflict resolution mechanisms—particularly conciliation and mediation through a decolonial lens that acknowledges local knowledge and integrates community based approaches to conflict management. Based on a case study conducted in the locality of Kennedy, in Bogotá, this research analyzes the gap between traditional methods of the judicial system and the everyday realities of the community, especially those in conditions of vulnerability. This analysis makes it possible to identify strategies that promote a form of conflict resolution that is contextualized, community-centered, and responsive to the dynamics of the territory. This decolonial approach seeks to transform the dynamics of social conflict by moving beyond the logic of hegemonic law toward the incorporation of local perspectives in the formulation of public policies and in the practices of mediation and conciliation units. Rather than merely adapting the system to the community, this work proposes a deeper transformation one in which communities become active agents in the reconstruction of the system itself. Based on the findings, the article offers recommendations aimed at strengthening the Mediation and Conciliation Units, contributing to the development of more equitable public policies at both national and local levels. These spaces are envisioned as having the potential to serve as platforms for a plural, situated, and culturally relevant form of justice. This article aspires not only to enrich academic debate but also to inspire the exploration of innovative approaches to social transformation and the collective construction of justice from within the community.