PRESS RELEASE : 44th Universal Periodic Review – UK Review on Colombia [November 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 November 2023.
The UK delivered a statement during Colombia’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Thank you, Mr. Vice-President.
We commend the efforts made by successive Colombian governments to work together towards sustainable peace in the country. We particularly welcome Colombia’s commitment to implement the inclusive 2016 Peace Agreement domestically and its requests for the assistance of the Council.
Despite overall security progress, illegal armed groups continue their activities resulting in violence, insecurity and environmental degradation. We call on the Colombian government to take the necessary steps to dismantle armed groups.
We recommend that Colombia:
- Strengthen prevention mechanisms and advance timely, independent and impartial criminal investigations into allegations of attacks and threats against human rights defenders, social leaders, environmental activists and female leaders, especially in Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities, and to prosecute those responsible.
- Guarantee the 2016 Peace Agreement and address delays in its implementation, particularly the Ethnic Chapter and gender provisions, including by ensuring adequate funding.
- Ensure that the governance structure and monitoring and evaluation framework of the 1325 National Action Plan focus on implementation and impact, and include oversight and strategic input from both government and diverse women’s civil society organisations.
Thank you.
