On international human rights day genuine steps must be taken to combat attacks on human rights defenders in Colombia In 2014 in both Colombia and the European Union important elections will take place. The dialogues in Havana between the government and the FARC are a step towards building peace in Colombia, but as we have
This issue includes a special focus on women’s rights, as well as information on: human rights defenders situation; Colombia in the EU; the continued attempts to expand military criminal jurisdiction.
Launching of a campaign that aims to highlight this phenomenon and to end the impunity. Joint press release and video. Feminicide is the most extreme form of violence against women. Today, the European civil society networks CIFCA and Grupo Sur and the Heinrich Böll Foundation launch a campaign in the European Parliament that aims to
The newsletter includes information on: the recent and massive social mobilisations; peace dialogues; human rights defenders situation; Colombia and international mechanisms; extractive industries and human rights.
General Freddy Padilla de León must be deprived of his diplomatic status in order to allow for criminal investigations. Berlin / Bogotá / Vienna, 2 October 2013 Today ECCHR made public a dossier on the former General Commander of the Colombian Armed Forces and current Colombian Ambassador to Austria, General Freddy Padilla de León. Therein,
Joint declaration. 14 September 2013 marks three years since renowned human rights defender David Ravelo Crespo, member of the director’s board of the Regional Corporation for the Defense of Human Rights (CREDHOS) based in the city of Barrancabermeja (Colombia), was detained. As International NGOs and networks, we would like to reiterate concerns regarding a series
Press release on the occasion of the National Human Rights Day in Colombia. Today is National Human Rights Day in Colombia. The figures for human rights violations are shocking across the board: this is one of the countries with the most internally displaced persons in the world, where the most trade unionists are killed, with
Today marks the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. And tragically, in Colombia this unfortunate practice that has characterized Latin America for decades before the eyes of the international community persists.NB: According to recent data published by the National Center for Historical Memory (Centro Nacional de Memoria Histórica), 25.007 people were victims of
We express our deep concern at the grave situation of risk and threats that members of the CIJP have been suffering for many years, and which have been increasing in the past few weeks. Joint statement by DIAL-OIDHACO-ABColombia. We, the international member organisations of the Inter-Agency Dialogue on Colombia (DIAL), the International Office for Human
Of 102 indigenous peoples, 66 are at imminent risk of extinction. August 9 marked the International Day of Indigenous Peoples. However, the situation of indigenous peoples in Colombia does not leave much to celebrate. According to the National Indigenous Organisation of Colombia (ONIC), between 2009 and 2012, 438 indigenous people were killed and more than
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.