The International Office for Human Rights Action on Colombia

Day: 10 March 2026

Parliamentary question regarding the EU participation in the national process of guarantees for human rights defenders in Colombia

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We would like to thank MEP Jaume Asens for raising the issue of the importance of strengthening the national safeguards mechanism for human rights defenders in Colombia. It is a vital channel of communication between human rights organisations and the Colombian state.

Here is the full text of the question submitted on 24 February, which can be found on the European Parliament’s website at this link. Social organisations will be following up on the European Commission’s response.

EU participation in the national process of guarantees for human rights defenders in Colombia

The Mesa Nacional de Garantías (national round table on guarantees) is a forum for dialogue between the state and civil society in Colombia that is focused on the development of guarantees for those defending human rights. The reactivation of the national and regional round tables under the current government is welcome, as is the participation of the EU and Member States as observers.

However, challenges remain in terms of effectiveness and sustainability, such as the participation of public officials without decision-making powers, the lack of guarantees for the inclusion of the most vulnerable actors and the lack of willingness of the local authorities responsible for implementation.

In this context, the Commission is asked to answer the following questions:

  1. What specific measures does the Commission plan to take to continue promoting the national round table on guarantees in the coming years?
  2. How does it intend to strengthen its role in order to make this forum more effective, such as by insisting on the need for the participation of public officials with decision-making powers and a clear mechanism for monitoring the commitments made?
  3. Besides the national round table on guarantees, does the Commission intend to take part in regional round tables?

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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