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HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ENDS FIRST VISIT TO COLOMBIA
26 October 1998
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HR/98/79
26 October 1998
The following statement was made by High Commissioner for Human Rights
Mary Robinson at the end of her visit to Colombia which took place from 19 to 23 October:
“In this first visit to Colombia I wanted to see the situation first hand and express my solidarity with the Colombian people in their struggle for full respect for human rights.
Over the four days I spent in the country I was able to get a better sense of just how serious the human rights situation is and of all the work that needs to be done. The bombing of the pipeline in Segovia, Antioquia, the murder of trade union leader Jorge Ortega, and other incidents this week are just the latest examples of the painful drama Colombia is living. I am more convinced than ever of the importance of linking peace, human rights and development.
But in the last four days I also noted things that give reason for hope. I saw the commitment of Colombian human rights defenders to speak for the voiceless; the expressed will of the Government to address some of the most serious problems; and the strong support from all quarters for the work the colleagues in my office in Bogota are doing.
In talks with President Andres Pastrana I raised some of the major issues affecting the human rights situation. I spoke to the President about the need to balance peace efforts with a clear commitment for human rights. Peace and human rights go hand in hand.
We also discussed the concrete steps that need to be taken to deal with impunity and other problems related to the administration of justice in Colombia. I recalled some of the recommendations made by United Nations human rights mechanisms, including the abolition of regional, or “faceless”, justice and the adoption of a military penal code that would be in full conformity with international standards. Action is also needed to clearly define the crime of enforced disappearances. Protection for human rights defenders should be high on the agenda.
Other issues discussed included how the Government could better address the problem of the internally displaced -- Colombia is fourth in the world in the number of internally displaced. The office of the High Commissioner in Colombia, along with the other UN agencies and other actors, is committed to working within a consolidated strategy to help tackle that problem.
The President assured me of his Government’s commitment to move forward on these points, including the conclusion of a plan of human rights implementation in the near future.
I left Colombia with a sense of urgency about what needs to be done and the greater resources needed. There is agreement on strengthening the office of the High Commissioner in Colombia, and I will work to make that a reality as quickly as possible.”
26 October 1998
The following statement was made by High Commissioner for Human Rights
Mary Robinson at the end of her visit to Colombia which took place from 19 to 23 October:
“In this first visit to Colombia I wanted to see the situation first hand and express my solidarity with the Colombian people in their struggle for full respect for human rights.
Over the four days I spent in the country I was able to get a better sense of just how serious the human rights situation is and of all the work that needs to be done. The bombing of the pipeline in Segovia, Antioquia, the murder of trade union leader Jorge Ortega, and other incidents this week are just the latest examples of the painful drama Colombia is living. I am more convinced than ever of the importance of linking peace, human rights and development.
But in the last four days I also noted things that give reason for hope. I saw the commitment of Colombian human rights defenders to speak for the voiceless; the expressed will of the Government to address some of the most serious problems; and the strong support from all quarters for the work the colleagues in my office in Bogota are doing.
In talks with President Andres Pastrana I raised some of the major issues affecting the human rights situation. I spoke to the President about the need to balance peace efforts with a clear commitment for human rights. Peace and human rights go hand in hand.
We also discussed the concrete steps that need to be taken to deal with impunity and other problems related to the administration of justice in Colombia. I recalled some of the recommendations made by United Nations human rights mechanisms, including the abolition of regional, or “faceless”, justice and the adoption of a military penal code that would be in full conformity with international standards. Action is also needed to clearly define the crime of enforced disappearances. Protection for human rights defenders should be high on the agenda.
Other issues discussed included how the Government could better address the problem of the internally displaced -- Colombia is fourth in the world in the number of internally displaced. The office of the High Commissioner in Colombia, along with the other UN agencies and other actors, is committed to working within a consolidated strategy to help tackle that problem.
The President assured me of his Government’s commitment to move forward on these points, including the conclusion of a plan of human rights implementation in the near future.
I left Colombia with a sense of urgency about what needs to be done and the greater resources needed. There is agreement on strengthening the office of the High Commissioner in Colombia, and I will work to make that a reality as quickly as possible.”