United Nations Human Rights Council

56^th session

ID with OHCHR on human rights situation in Colombia

10 July 2024

EU statement

Mr. President,

The European Union thanks the High Commissioner for his report, and more generally for the important work his Office is doing in Colombia.

The EU continues to stand together with Colombia, both politically and technically, in the realisation of lasting peace in the country, in full respect for human rights.

We welcome the support of OHCHR for the implementation of the recommendations from the Truth Commission, and the efforts of Colombia in that regard, including on comprehensive rural reform, security and justice, reparations, progress towards dismantling criminal organizations that undermine peacebuilding, and the implementation of the Peace Agreement.

Despite those efforts, as you point out, obstacles remain. The EU is concerned by the persistence of impunity and obstacles to access to justice in cases of serious human rights violations and abuses, including killings of social leaders, human rights defenders and signatories of the Peace Agreement and deaths of protestors during mass demonstrations in 2020 and 2021; kidnappings; extortion; forced recruitment, especially of minors; conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence; and violence and threats against members of Juntas de Accion Comunal, people of African descent and Indigenous Peoples. We also call for the enhanced protection of human rights defenders and social leaders, amongst others.

We welcome the valuable guidance from your report to address the underlying causes of the conflict, ensure the full protection of human rights throughout Colombia, integrate the agency of women and girls as well as individuals in a vulnerable situation, and ultimately put an end to the cycle of violence.

Mr High Commissioner, how has the current liquidity crisis affected the performance of your work in Colombia?

Thank you.