ABSTRACT
The extensive political violence that has marked the country's history has had tremendous consequences for many Colombians. After several failed attempts, a National Constituent Assembly was finally convened in 1991 and, in that year, the current Colombian constitution was promulgated, replacing the constitution of 1886. This chapter surveys the transformations that have occurred since the entry into force of that constitution. Title III of the constitution of 1886 focused on civil rights and social guarantees. In contrast to the 1886 constitution, that of 1991 includes various measures to guarantee the enforcement of human rights. With regards to the protection of human rights, it is necessary to explore in greater detail the tutela action. The goal of the 1991 constitution was to respond to the problems that have characterized Colombia and many other Latin American countries since the colonial era. The rights revolution that has evolved since 1991 follows the historically contradictory and paradoxical pattern of the Colombian political system.
