The All-Party Parliamentary Human Rights Group (PHRG), together with ABColombia and CAFOD, organised this event to raise greater awareness of some important human rights issues continuing to affect civil society in Colombia.

The PHRG extends its thanks to Kerry McCarthy MP for chairing the event, as well as to the two guest speakers from Colombia for sharing their personal experiences. We would also like to thank Colombian Ambassador to the UK, H.E. Nestor Osorio, for engaging in the discussions.

The meeting’s speakers included:

Irrael Manuel Aguilar Solano, Indigenous Governor of the Zenú Resguardo, Colombia. (“IMAS”)
Carmenza Alvarez, Human Rights Defender, women’s peace organisation ‘Iniciativa de Mujeres por la Paz’, Colombia. (“CA”)
H.E. Ambassador Nestor Osorio, Colombian Ambassador to the United Kingdom. (“NO”)
Louise Winstanley, Programme and Advocacy Manager, ABColombia. (“LW”)
Archie Young, Head of South America Section and Deputy Head of the Americas, FCO. (“AY”)

The main points/issues raised during the meeting were:

– The indigenous people of Zenú Resguardo in Cordoba, Colombia are struggling to defend their land from further exploitation by multinational corporations, including BHP Billiton and its Cerramatosa Copper mine. (IMAS)
– Women in Colombia continue to suffer sexual violence related to the ongoing conflict, with perpetrators acting with impunity. The crimes are massively under-reported and a culture of disbelief of victims’ allegations prevails. Women’s priority is for peace, with equality and social justice. (CA)
– Peace negotiations in Havana are working to establish a framework to move forward and prepare Colombia for a post-conflict state. The transitional justice framework demands a realistic expectation of the level of justice civilians can hope to achieve. (NO)
– Social protests are on the rise in Colombia, as civil society pushes its agendas alongside the formal peace negotiations. Yet many challenges remain, as human rights defenders continue to be threatened and attacked, at rate which appears to be rising. (LW)
– The UK continues to have strong relationship with Colombia, and human rights is central to this. (AY)

The PHRG will continue to work to support human rights defenders from Colombia and to engage with UK Parliamentarians, and other relevant interlocutors, on these important human rights concerns.