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Colombia – Where the Truth Lies Buried

In Medellin there's a huge dump. Locals say it's where the truth is buried - they're talking about victims killed in the armed conflict. Now there are moves to excavate it.

In Comuna 13, one of Medellin's poorest and most violent districts, there is a giant rubbish dump - la escombrera. Local people say it's where the truth lies buried. They're talking about the disappeared - dozens of victims of Colombia's bloody, civil conflict concealed beneath the mountains of junk.

La escombrera stands in contrast to the 'Medellin Miracle' - the city's transformation over two decades, from the darkest days of Pablo Escobar and his drug trafficking cartel, to its triumph in being voted the world's most innovative city.

For Assignment, Linda Pressly reports on the move to begin digging for human remains.

Produced by Linda Pressly and John Murphy

(Photo: Memorial to the victims of forced disappearance in Comuna 13 at the hands of paramilitaries. Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Copyright)

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28 minutes

Last on

Sun 4 Jan 2015 10:05GMT

Broadcasts

  • New Year's Day 2015 02:32GMT
  • New Year's Day 2015 20:32GMT
  • Sun 4 Jan 2015 10:05GMT

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