Over the last days and weeks, attacks and harassment against them have been particularly serious. Oidhaco sent data and some cases to the European authorities and request them to take action. According to a recent report of the Somos Defensores Programme, in the year 2011, 239 human rights defenders suffered attacks, 49 of which were
Analysis on the situation in Colombia on the occasion of the hearing of the Human Rights Sub-Committee of the European Parliament. It deals with, among others, the persistent violations of IHL, impunity and attacks against human rights defenders. In the face of the lack of guarantees for the fulfilment of human rights in Colombia, continued
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Oidhaco calls upon the EU to show responsibility towards women victims of war in Colombia. Colombian women have become one of the most threatened and neglected groups in the Colombian conflict Rape has been used by the armed actors in the conflict as a weapon of war. Both
Document redacted on the occasion of the hearing of the Committee on International Trade (INTA) of the European Parliament on the EU-Colombia-Peru Multiparty Agreement on 29 February 2012. The document presents the situation with respect to the following topics: Poverty and inequality, Labour rights and violence against trade unions, Environment, Right to food, Lands, Indigenous,
The EU has adopted guidelines on violence against women. This report aims to provide useful recommendations for its implementation in Colombia, a country with very high levels of violence against women. The EU has adopted guidelines on violence against women. From January to December 2010, 16 916 cases of sexual violence against women in the
Women in Colombia suffer a double victimization due to structural discrimination and the situation of armed conflict. Oidhaco releases a briefing paper to denounce this serious situation and formulate recommendations. In Colombia, as in other countries, women suffer structural discrimination and live in a clearly unequal position in relation to men. In a patriarchal society
OIDHACO releases a briefing paper on the situation of Afro-Colombian people including recommendations to the European Union. Due to the serious situation of Afro Colombian communities detailed in this briefing paper, OIDHACO requests the European Union to create a binding legislation to require companies to meet the human rights of Colombians, including Afro-Colombians, subsistence farmers
OIDHACO releases a briefing paper on the situation of indigenous peoples in Colombia including recommendations to the European Union. Despite an advanced legal recognition, in practice the rights of indigenous peoples are being violated on a daily basis in Colombia, since they are victims of the effects of the internal armed conflict, systematic institutional discrimination,
The European Parliament, in recognition of the importance of the campesino population of Colombia, names the Peace Community one of three finalists for its annual human rights award. The European Parliament, in recognition of the importance of the campesino population of Colombia, names the Peace Community one of three finalists for its annual human rights award. The
This joint report by ABColombia, U.S. Office on Colombia (USOC) and Oidhaco presents the situation of women who fight for the respect of human rights and rule of law in Colombia. Colombia continues to suffer one of the worst humanitarian and human rights crises in the world. Since the change of administration in August 2010,
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.