Leaked government documents seen by the newspaper El Espectador have raised concerns regarding the Colombian Government’s intention to restrict the mandate of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). It is essential that Colombia ensures a renewal of the full mandate of the OHCHR in Colombia to guarantee international independent monitoring...
On 16 July 2019, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) presented before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights the case 12.954, “Jineth Bedoya Lima and other, regarding Colombia”. Case 12.954 refers to the kidnapping, torture and rape of investigative journalist Jineth Bedoya Lima for reasons related to her profession; the case will address the...
On 30 July 2019, 24 UK Members of Parliament sent a letter of concern to Dominic Raab, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. As signatories of EDM 2232, the parliamentarians expressed their concerns regarding threats against members of the Comisión Intereclesial de Justicia y Paz (CIJP), the church-based human rights organisation directly...
The protests reflect a growing concern internationally regarding the the safety of human rights defenders (HRDs), the deterioration of human rights in the rural areas and the lack of effective action on the part of the Colombian Government to protect rural communities and defenders.
Listen to recordings of ABColombia events and interviews with ABColombia and partner organisations on issues related to peace and human rights in Colombia. If you have a podcast and are interested in an interview with ABColombia please get in touch. Peace Colombia: Grassroots Perspectives on what makes for Peace Public event with Danilo Rueda, Executive...
London – 7 June 2019: A week ahead of Colombia President Duque’s visit to the UK, the prominent Colombian Human Rights Defender and peace activist Danilo Rueda from the Inter-Church Commission for Justice and Peace will be in London to discuss the impact of the ongoing armed conflict on grassroots communities. Communities in rural areas...
Brussels/London, 13 May 2019. ABColombia, alongside more than 25 European and international organisations and networks, signed a public statement rejecting the murder attempt against leaders from Afro-Colombian collectives in Northern Cauca: ACONC, PCN and ASOM. The statement also highlights international concerns about threats against the Indigenous human rights organisation Fuerza de Mujeres Wayúu in La...
Geneva, 10 May 2019: Rupert Colville, Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, has published a statement saying that the UN is “alarmed” by the “strikingly high” levels of violence against Human Rights Defenders and Social Leaders in Colombia. In 2018, the UN recorded at least 115 killings of Human Rights Defenders in...
On 29 April 2019, Fuerza Mujeres Wayuu received death threats from a group identifying itself as Águilas Negras – Bloque Capital D.C. The following leaders were listed as particular targets: Karmen Ramírez, Miguel Iván Ramírez, Jakeline Romero, Deris Paz, Luis Misael Socarra and Dulcy Cotes. Moreover, members of the Wayúu community have reported the presence...
The Areas of Interest for Rural, Economic and Social Development (Zonas de Interés de Desarrollo Rural, Económico y Social – ZIDRES) were created by Law 1776 on 29 January 2016 to promote competitive economic development in rural farming areas in Colombia; there are over seven million hectares of land identified for ZIDRES projects. ZIDRES are...
