470 civil society, trade unions and public interest groups tell President von der Leyen, European Commissioners and EU Member States that our rights, planet, health and justice are not for sale The EU risks a new race to the bottom. Under President Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission plans an unprecedented wave of drastic
On September 9, within the framework of the 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, the side event “From Transition to Transformation: Ensuring ESCR for a Sustainable Peace in Colombia” will take place in Room Concordia 5 at the Palais des Nations (2:00 – 3:00 p.m.). This dialogue space seeks to
We would like to thank MEP Pernando BARRENA for his commitment to human rights and peace in Colombia. From Oidhaco we have positioned ourselves against the existence of a list of safe countries of origin which could be in contradiction with Article 3 of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. Here is
We would like to thank MEP Leire Pajín for her commitment to human rights and peace in Colombia. It is important that Colombian civil society can know more in detail what the EU’s support for peace in Colombia means in order to be able to contribute their view and evaluation of it. Here is the
We would like to thank MEP Isabel Serra Sánchez for her commitment to human rights in Colombia. In May, we at Oidhaco expressed our concern about the situation of risk faced by human rights and environmental defenders in the Jiguamiandó and Curbaradó river basins in the municipality of Carmen del Darién (Chocó), in the Urabá
In this 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Colombia has been very present. In fact, 4 reports were presented. We would also like to highlight the report on Protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in relation to forced displacement. You can see the first part
Brussels, 15 May 2025 – A delegation of Colombian women human rights defenders and representatives of Colombian feminist organisations has successfully completed an advocacy tour of Brussels. The visit aimed to strengthen the ties of cooperation between the European Union (EU) and Colombia, with a focus on implementing the Peace Agreement, adopting a gender-based approach,
It is clear to the Working Group that “the prevailing economic model favours the exploitation of natural resources through large-scale projects with high production volumes” and “that this model has systematically marginalized Indigenous, Afrodescendent and campesino communities in the territories where resources are concentrated”. In addition, the Working Group noted that “business activities, especially in
The Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Olivier De Schutter, visited Colombia between 26 August and 4 September 2024. Its report reflects the country’s complex situation, progress and challenges. According to the report, “the rate of income poverty decreased from 36.6 per cent of the population in 2022 to 33 per cent in
Colombia is experiencing several armed conflicts, one of the recurrent crimes is the recruitment of children and adolescents by armed groups. The social movement calls on all actors to respect IHL and in particular children and adolescents who are the future of the country. This is why MEP Leila Chaibi’s question is very necessary. It
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.