The International Office for Human Rights Action on Colombia

Parliamentary question about the human rights situation in the river basins of Curbaradó and Jiguamiandó.

We would like to thank MEP Isabel Serra Sánchez for her commitment to human rights in Colombia. In May, we at Oidhaco expressed our concern about the situation of risk faced by human rights and environmental defenders in the Jiguamiandó and Curbaradó river basins in the municipality of Carmen del Darién (Chocó), in the Urabá region of Colombia.

Here is the full text of the question presented by the MEP on 10 June, which can be found on the website of the European Parliament at this link. From the social organisations we will be waiting and monitoring the response of the European Commission.

Human rights situation in the river basins of Curbaradó and Jiguamiandó in Bajo Atrato (Colombia)

National and international organisations are warning of the escalating human rights situation in the river basins of Curbaradó and Jiguamiandó in Bajo Atrato (Colombia). With illegal armed groups’ territorial control increasing, the ethnic communities that have historically defended human rights and the environment and put forward valuable peacebuilding proposals have been threatened and attacked. The region, one of the world’s most biodiverse and rich in natural resources, is the focus of many licit and illicit economic interests. A recent investigation by the Environmental Investigation Agency reported that timber illegally logged in the region was being imported into the EU. Furthermore, historic local leaders are being brought to trial.

  1. Is the EU delegation aware of the security situation of social and environmental leaders in Bajo Atrato?
  2. Within the framework of EU guidelines on human rights defenders, what is the Vice President / High Representative doing to monitor legal process 2022 (Chocó-Riosucio Ordinary Circuit Court, Summary No 030-132, Rd. 2761531890012022-00104-00), against historic leaders of Jiguamiandó (Carmen del Darién-Chocó) despite their proven status as victims of conflict and the precautionary measures of the IACHR (6-18 MC140-14CO) and the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (Auto 175 of 2019)?

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We are deeply concerned about all victims of armed conflict, repression and violence around the world — from Sudan to Syria, including the persecution of the Rohingya and so many other crises that often receive less international attention than they deserve. Each of these situations calls for solidarity, remembrance, justice and action.

However, we have decided to specifically highlight the message ‘Stop Genocide in Palestine’ because what is happening in Palestine represents not only a human tragedy of enormous magnitude, but also a direct challenge to the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law and to the rules-based international system itself. The indifference and complicity of much of the international community in the face of the apartheid regime imposed by the Israeli government on the Palestinian people represent one of the greatest moral and political contradictions of our time.

The persistent violation of essential norms — such as the protection of the civilian population, the prohibition of collective punishment and respect for proportionality in the use of force — not only has devastating consequences for the Palestinian population, but also erodes the global mechanisms designed to limit the power of states and prevent abuses.

When these rules are repeatedly breached without any effective consequences, the framework that protects all populations in conflict situations, anywhere in the world, is weakened. Therefore, speaking out in this case does not mean ignoring other forms of suffering, but rather emphasising the urgency of defending an international order which, if it collapses, leaves everyone in a more vulnerable position.

Drawing attention to this situation is, therefore, an act consistent with the universal values we uphold: the protection of life, human dignity and respect for international law, without exception.

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