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
Declaration signed up by more than 100 organizations on the occasion a Regional Forum on Business and Human Rights for Latin America and the Caribbean in Medellín. On the occasion of the announcement made by the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights, the Regional office for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNDP)
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
The newsletter includes information on: peace process; the land issue – protests in the Catatumbo region, mining and forced displacement -; justice and military jurisdiction; human rights defenders situation, in particular journalists; and EU policy.
Concerns for EU reaction following reform of the military justice system which protects the State security forces from justice and leaves victims unprotected. Brussels, June 27, 2013. On June 17, the Colombian Congress adopted the statutory law regulating military criminal jurisdiction. This statutory Law increases the concerns already raised about the constitutional reform of military
Video of the Peace roundtable of 20 May. With images of the Roundtable; interviews with Colombian participants; declarations and recommendations by the Members of the Congress of Colombia to the European Union.
On Thursday, June 20, is the World Refugee Day and June 27 is the World Day against Torture, days that unfortunately remind us of the tragic reality in Colombia. On Thursday, June 20, is the World Refugee Day and June 27 is the World Day against Torture, days that unfortunately remind us of the tragic
80% of the human rights violations occurring in Colombia, are taking place in the mining and oil municipalities. Main conclusions of the report; some reactions after its publication; and recommendations by Oidhaco. In May 2013, the Colombian Comptroller General (Contraloría General de la República) published a report entitled “Mining in Colombia: Basics to overcome 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.