Summary of the two November 2013 hearings. In a first hearing, the petitioners, who were present and had come from all over Latin America, expressed their concerns with regard to a new topic at the IACHR: the responsibility of States, including the home countries of the companies, as well as of the countries where the events
Today sadely marks the anniversary of the disappearance of Sandra Viviana Cuellar Gallego, a 26 year-old environmental engineer, who was disappeared on February 17, 2011 in Cali. Oidhaco is deeply concerned about attacks against those who defend the right to land, the right to oppose mega-projects that affect the environment and the living conditions of
FOS and Oidhaco express their concern regarding threats sent by the Rastrojos to ‘neutralise’ people of FENSOAGRO, including Eberto Díaz y Nidia Quintero, against compensations.
February 9 marks the day of the journalist in Colombia. Oidhaco is deeply concerned about the lack of protection for journalists in the country. In 2013, according to information from the Foundation for Press Freedom (Fundación para la Libertad de Prensa – FLIP), 2 journalists were killed, 3 were forced into exile to save their
On the “International Day of the Endangered Lawyer” genuine steps must be taken to combat attacks on those who fight for Colombians’ human rights. Tomorrow, on January 24, European lawyers’ associations representing at least 10,000 lawyers will organise protests in various European cities about the danger their colleagues face in Colombia. According to figures from
Document that analyses ho the Citizen Security Law penalizes different aspects of citizens’ lives in Colombia. The promotion and protection of human rights in the context of pacific manifestatations is of concern in Colombia. Numerous cases of individual, arbitrary and massive detentions and judicializations of human rights defenders, who exerce their legitimate rights of pacific mobilisation
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
Joint declaration – On Human Rights Day, international organisations and networks deploer the 220 months of reclusion of human rights defender David Ravelo. Today, the 10th of December, international Human Rights Day, the international organizations and networks whose signatures appear below deplore the 220 month-prison sentence of human rights defender David Ravelo Crespo, member of
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.
Press release on the hearing at the European Parliament on EU-Colombia Trade Agreement and Human Rights situation. oday the European Parliament Sub-Committee on Human Rights has organised a hearing on the Situation of Human Rights in Colombia and the Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Oidhaco welcomes this initiative because the process of ratification of the FTA
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.