The International Office for Human Rights Action on Colombia

Day: 16 July 2025

Parliamentary question on the European Commission’s proposal to include Colombia in a list of safe countries of origin.

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We would like to thank MEP Pernando BARRENA for his commitment to human rights and peace in Colombia. From Oidhaco we have positioned ourselves against the existence of a list of safe countries of origin which could be in contradiction with Article 3 of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.

Here is the full text of the question presented by the MEP on 07 July, 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.

Considering Colombia a ‘safe country of origin’

In a meeting with the European network the International Office for Human Rights Action on Colombia (Oidhaco) and the Colombian platform CCEEU, we were informed about the serious situation of human rights defenders in Colombia. In their latest reports, Global Witness and Front Line Defenders conclude that Colombia is the most dangerous country in the world for human rights defenders and in particular for community leaders, indigenous peoples and those who defend territory and the environment. Front Line Defenders states that of the 324 human rights defenders killed in the world, 157 were killed in Colombia. According to the INDEPAZ observatory, from 1 January 2025 to 20 May 2025, 65 human rights defenders and social leaders were assassinated. The armed conflict is also affecting more and more population groups. The Ombudsman’s Office of Colombia identified at least 11 critical humanitarian emergency hotspots and the presence of non-state armed actors in 73 % of the national territory.

  1. Against this bleak backdrop, how can the Commission consider including Colombia on a list of safe countries of origin?
  2. Beyond calculations based on the number of asylum requests and rejection rates – which vary greatly from country to country – what were the criteria used by the Commission?

Parliamentary question about the support for the territorial approach to ‘total peace’ in Colombia

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We would like to thank MEP Leire Pajín for her commitment to human rights and peace in Colombia. It is important that Colombian civil society can know more in detail what the EU’s support for peace in Colombia means in order to be able to contribute their view and evaluation of it.

Here is the full text of the question presented by the MEP on 02 July, 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.

Support for the territorial approach to ‘total peace’ in Colombia

The EU is committed to peace in Colombia. The European Peace Facility has supported the efforts of the Colombian Government with EUR 135 million between 2016 and 2024, covering 26 departments and 181 municipalities, particularly those most impacted by the violence. In March 2024, the Commission announced a new contribution of EUR 2.5 million to support territorial dialogues within the framework of the ‘total peace’ policy and to promote potential new investments under the Global Gateway.

The department of Nariño is a good example of the peace-building process. Thanks to a comprehensive territorial focus and inclusive dialogues, significant advances have been made in Nariño, both in terms of disarmament and in the transition away from illegal trade (including gold mining, coca cultivation, port activities and fishing). The economic transition remains one of the biggest challenges.

In view of the above:

  1. What specific projects is the Commission supporting to encourage the implementation of the ‘total peace’ policy at territorial level and the economic transition in departments such as Nariño?
  2. What tools is the Commission using to ensure that investments supported using EU funds contribute to a lasting peace and inclusive socioeconomic development in the aforementioned regions?

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

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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)?

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
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