The International Office for Human Rights Action on Colombia

peace

Human Rights in Colombia must be a priority for all political parties

by

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 said repeatedly, this is only one step and much needs to be done to achieve lasting peace. In Oidhaco we are concerned that in 2013 human rights violations have increased rather than decreased, as shown by the steady rise in killings of human rights defenders; by September, 52 men and women who struggled for human rights in Colombia had been killed. The Colombian Constitutional Court has stated that sexual violence is a crime perpetrated by all the armed actors and that it is ‘a habitual, extensive, systematic and invisible practice’. Colombia has the highest number of human rights violations in the western world.

European Parliamentarians support women’s march for peace in Colombia

by

They ask the negotiators in Havana to listen to the demands of women and victims and the parties at the dialogue table to declare a bilateral cease -fire.

Brussels, November 21 2012. More than 20 MEPs from the European Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, the Greens European Free Alliance and the European United Left have sent a letter for the march which will take place tomorrow in Colombia in support of the peace process. The main request of the march, organized by the Women for Peace network (Mujeres por la Paz) is that neither the government nor the FARC leave the negotiating table before signing a Peace Agreement.

Colombian Peace Roundtables come to Brussels

by

Colombian Congress Peace Commissions come to Europe to listen to the Colombian community abroad.

Brussels, May 15, 2013. While talks continue between the Colombian government and the FARC, with the aim of ending the armed conflict, the Colombian Congress Peace Commissions have held Regional Peace Roundtables in Colombia to collect proposals from society and transmit them to the official dialogue table in Havana. At the request of the Colombian population abroad, these Roundtables are coming to Europe from 19 to 25 May so that Colombian migrants and exiles are also able to have their voice heard during the process. These ‘European Peace Roundtables’ will take place in Brussels, Berlin, London, Paris and Barcelona, with 7 cross-party members of the Colombian Congress.

The European Parliament urges the Colombian government and the FARC to guarantee lasting peace

by

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 greet the efforts of the Colombian government and the FARC to begin dialogues to seek an end to the armed conflict” which they describe as a “historic moment” for Colombia. They urge both parties to cease fire – noting the recent declaration made by FARC – and remind them of their duty to respect human rights and international humanitarian law.

Our solidarity is universal.

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.

Oidhaco logo - Oficina Internacional de derechos Humanos - Acción Colombia
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.