Letter to the protagonists of the peace talks in Havana insists on the importance of civil society participation and call for the reform to military jurisdiction to be withdrawn. Brussels, 18 December 2012. 20 Members of the European Parliament have sent a letter today to the Colombian government and the FARC in which they “warmly
Short document presenting the constitutional reform on transitional justice. The constitutional reform known as the ‘Legal Framework for Peace’ on transitional justice, adopted on June 19, 2012, includes the possibility of amnesty for human rights violations committed by the actors in the armed conflict (guerrillas, paramilitaries and state security forces), even in cases of crimes
Instead of fostering agro-industrial projects for export, the EU should rather give political and economic support to peasant initiatives” This week marks international days for food, rural women, and eradication of poverty. Rural women are among the main victims of the conflict: 80% of the more than five millions of internally displaced persons are women,
The EU must accompany this process as well as supporting victims´ demands and Colombian civil society peace initiatives Brussels, 4 September 2012. On a number of occasions OIDHACO has asked the EU to insist that instead of prolonging the war, Colombia channels all its efforts into achieving peace. We are convinced that the end of
European Policy on Colombia The 23 May 2008, in Paris and simultaneously to its general assembly, OIDHACO presented to the press its recommendations on Colombia for the Slovenian and French Presidencies of the European Union (EU). The 23 May 2008, in Paris and simultaneously to its general assembly, OIDHACO presented to the press its recommendations
To mark the National Day of victims of the conflict in Colombia, held today for the first time, we make an appeal to the European Union and the international community to contribute to the opening of peace talks in Colombia. There are millions of victims in Colombia, including those killed, displaced, disappeared, injured by landmines,
Colombia must comply with human rights recommendations “The defence of human rights is a firm and unequivocal commitment”(1) . With these words the new President of Colombia announced his political good will to comply with human rights. Nevertheless, w The defence of human rights is a firm and unequivocal commitment”(1) . With these words the
From February 4 to March 6 The march on 4 February in protest at FARC-EP and kidnappings was an important political event, in which a significant proportion of the Colombian population took part. The march on 4 February in protest at FARC-EP and kidnappings was an important political event, in which a significant proportion of
The regional crisis and human rights The Colombian armed forces’ operation in Ecuadorian territory, which resulted in the death of the FARC’s spokesman and second-in-command was a military and symbolic blow to this armed group but also demonstrates… he Colombian armed forces’ operation in Ecuadorian territory, which resulted in the death of the FARC’s spokesman
The Colombian judicial system begins to break through the inertia of impunity For those of us in European countries who are working for the respect of human rights in Colombia, it is very gratifying to see the advances made by the Colombian judicial It is important to highlight the judicial investigations of soldiers over the
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.