The International Office for Human Rights Action on Colombia

Day: 23 April 2025

Parliamentary Question on the situation of violence in Buenaventura and the role of European companies

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Many thanks to MEP Ana Miranda Paz for this important parliamentary question of 2 April 2025 on how we can ensure that companies present in Buenaventura (Colombia) do not benefit or benefited directly or indirectly, voluntarily or involuntarily, from a context of systematic violence. Here is the full text of the question, 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.

Violence in Buenaventura and the role of European companies

According to the Commission, the presence of European companies ensures development and creates jobs, all the while respecting human rights, including environmental rights. According to a report submitted by PBI and Oidhaco on Buenaventura (Department of Valle del Cauca), this does not really seem to be the case. Rather, the situation in Buenaventura seems to be defined by discrimination, violence and racism. It is one of the most violent cities in the country and the level of extortion by illegal armed groups is widespread, affecting all businesses. Multidimensional poverty indices are twice as high as the national average. That said, there are many undertakings operating there (ports, logistics, road construction).

  1. What concrete actions is the Commission taking to ensure that companies operating there do not directly or indirectly, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, benefit from this context of systematic violence – or have done so in the past?
  2. To what extent have the communities affected by the social and environmental impacts of these businesses been involved in the Commissions monitoring activities regarding the actions of European undertakings?
  3. How can the European Commission, in the face of situations such as this, propose a directive that weakens the directives we have in terms of due diligence, corporate responsibility and taxonomy?

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.

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