The International Office for Human Rights Action on Colombia

Javier Giraldo: A Life Dedicated to Truth, Justice, and Human Rights

Credit: Razon Publica, CC BY 3.0 / Wikimedia.

At OIDHACO, we deeply mourn the passing of Father Javier Giraldo Moreno, an indispensable figure in the defense of human rights, the search for truth, and the fight against impunity in Colombia.

For decades, Javier Giraldo stood in solidarity with communities and victims of serious human rights violations, tirelessly documenting and denouncing violence while always placing the dignity of those who suffered it at the center. His commitment to truth and justice, even in the most difficult moments, left a profound mark on the Colombian human rights movement and extended far beyond the country’s borders.

His career was also closely linked to the international advocacy work that gave rise to and defined OIDHACO. From our earliest years in Brussels, his analyses, reports, and the work carried out alongside the organizations and communities he supported helped bring the serious human rights violations occurring in Colombia to the attention of the international community. OIDHACO also denounced, on various occasions, the stigmatization and defamation campaigns of which he himself was a victim as a result of his work.

For those of us who are part of OIDHACO, Javier Giraldo has also been a constant source of inspiration. His rigor in the pursuit of truth, his consistency, his closeness to victims and communities, and his unwavering commitment to human rights have guided us and will continue to guide us.

Today we wish to express our appreciation and gratitude for a lifetime dedicated to defending human dignity, as well as our solidarity and affection for his family, loved ones, communities, and organizations with whom he shared his journey.

His legacy will live on in those of us who continue to work for truth, justice, peace, and human rights in Colombia.

Thank you, Father Javier, for the journey you have taken and for helping us continue on our path.

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