Here is an update on the security situations and human rights cases received by WOLA from March until April 16, 2024. We urge U.S. policymakers to raise concerns about the safety and security of human rights defenders, social leaders, and Afro-Colombian and Indigenous communities at the High-Level US-Colombia Dialogue that will take place in Bogotá, Colombia on May 28-29, 2024.
At this meeting, the U.S. and Colombia should seek solutions to the security and protection challenges found throughout the country that disproportionately affected social leaders, Afrodescendants, Indigenous, and rural communities. Both countries should advance the aspects of the Ethnic Chapter of the 2016 peace accord that relates to individual, collective, and autonomous security measures. The Colombian government should be encouraged to make the security of communities a priority in the negotiations that are underway with the National Liberation Army (ELN) and FARC dissidents. On this, we reiterate our recommendation that the State Department designate an envoy to monitor Colombia’s peace efforts. The two countries should work together to improve Colombia’s Security and Citizen Coexistence policy prioritizes the protection of social leaders and vulnerable communities. Such a policy requires a differentiated ethnic, female, gender, and LGBTQ+ approach.
At the same time, concrete steps to protect citizens and address urban warfare are required in places such as Quibdó. Given ongoing internal displacement, it is recommended that Colombia improve its protection and assistance response to IDPs in the Pacific Coast, Antioquia, and Sur de Bolivar. Colombia’s judicial authorities including the Attorney General and Inspector General should investigate, prosecute, and bring to justice the material and intellectual authors of the abuses detailed in this document.
To view the summaries of all human rights and security concerns that WOLA received from March to April 16, 2024, please click here.