The International Office for Human Rights Action on Colombia

Day: 4 September 2012

Oidhaco welcomes the start of peace talks in Colombia – and press releases of different organisations and institutions

by

The EU must accompany this process as well as supporting victims´ demands and Colombian civil society peace initiatives

Brussels, 4 September 2012. On a number of occasions OIDHACO has asked the EU to insist that instead of prolonging the war, Colombia channels all its efforts into achieving peace. We are convinced that the end of the armed conflict can not be achieved by military means, which on the contrary cause more pain and death every day, and which have already claimed thousands and thousands of civilian casualties over the past decades. For this reason, as a network of more than 30 European organisations, we welcome the decision of the Colombian government and the Farc guerrilla to begin peace talks.

Our solidarity is universal.

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.

Oidhaco logo - Oficina Internacional de derechos Humanos - Acción Colombia
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.