Serious violations of the civilian population´s human rights and infractions of International Humanitarian Law, in confrontations between the FARC and the Colombian Army. Oidhaco supports the decision of the indigenous peoples of the Cauca department in the south-west of Colombia who, after suffering renewed serious human rights violations and infractions of IHL, have decided to
Civil society networks ALOP, APRODEV, CIDSE, CIFCA, GRUPO SUR and OIDHACO welcome the European Parliament (EP) resolution of 12 June 2012 on defining new development cooperation with Latin America. In a region where 180 million people – one in three persons -live below the poverty line, it is paramount that the EU take due consideration
Colombia is the 7th major source country of refugees in the world (UNHCR) and the country with the highest number of displaced people within its own territory (IDPs). Today, June 20th, marks World Refugee Day. According to figures, Colombia is the 7th major source country of refugees in the world (UNHCR) and the country with
Information and recommendations on the situation in Colombia in relation to various issues to be covered during the 20th session of the Human Rights Council, based on the reports of the different UN mechanisms. The aim of this document is to provide information and make recommendations on the situation in Colombia in relation to various
The Road Map requested in order to guarantee the protection of labor rights, the environment, and human rights does not respond to the concerns raised by European, Colombian, and Peruvian civil society. Today, on the 13th of June, it was put forth in the plenary of the European Parliament (EP) the resolution to ask Colombia
This report shows how the EU trade agreements with Central America and Colombia and Peru will negatively impact human right to water, especially for the poor and vulnerable people. This is a joint report elaborated by the networks CIFCA, ALOP, Grupo Sur and OIDHACO. With the support of CNCD and Oxfam Solidarité.
In 2010, Oidhaco sent a series of recommendations to the Spanish and Belgian Presidencies of the European Union, supported by some 90 European and international human rights organisations, development agencies, solidarity groups and church organisations. On 18th and 19th May 2011, the International Office on Human Rights Action on Colombia (Oidhaco) held its General Assembly,
Recent weeks have been marked by assassinations and forced disappearances of people struggling for peace and respect for human rights. The document presents the situation on the bases of different cases and includes recommendations. In late March we reported on the worsening of attacks against human rights defenders in Colombia . Unfortunately, since March this
In recent weeks, activists and defenders have been murdered and disappeared; 13 defenders have been killed over the past 3 months. Oidhaco calls on the EU to follow the example of the UK and make public its concern. In recent weeks, enforced disappearances, the killing of trade unionists, leaders claiming land, and human rights defenders,
In five years at least 71 leaders claiming land restitution have been killed. Colombia is the country with the highest number of displaced persons in the world. Five and a half million people have been driven from their lands. April 17 marks the International Day of Peasant Struggle. In Colombia the rural population is faced
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.