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14 April 2000
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Commission on Human Rights
56th session
14 April 2000
Statement of Mary Robinson,
High Commissioner for Human Rights
Introducing the report of the
OHCHR Office in Colombia
(E/CN.4/2000/11)
to the
56th Session of the Commission on Human Rights
Mr. Chairman,
Distinguished members of the Commission,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen;
I have the honour to present to the Commission the third report on the activities of our office in Colombia and on the situation of human rights in the country.
In presenting this report, there are a few additional observations that I should like to offer. In the first place, the situation of human rights in Colombia remains a grave one. In fact, according to the evidence gathered by our colleagues in the Colombia Office, the situation is deteriorating. This is a sad and sobering comment to have to make, as I reflect back on my own visit to Bogota in October 1998.
Second, the challenges faced by the Colombian Government in seeking to re-establish peace in the face of insurrection, paramilitary formations, widespread lawlessness and drug trafficking, is a daunting one. I should like to encourage the Government of Colombia to strive for the restoration of peace with respect for human rights.
Third, as elsewhere, the international community must insist that all parties cooperate in the search for peaceful solutions through negotiations on the basis of respect for human rights and humanitarian law. This includes economic, social and cultural rights and more concern for the high number of internally displaced in the country. We must resolutely condemn any party or any group that would defy the call of the international community to abide by internationally-recognized norms of human rights and humanitarian law.
Fourth, I should like to advise the Commission that, since the issuance of our report, we have received the findings of our colleagues in the Office for Internal Oversight Services, who have just carried out an evaluation of our Colombia Office. Their findings included the following:
a. Everyone recognizes that our Colombia Office is rendering valuable service in a difficult situation.
b. The Office has succeeded in communicating its presence throughout Colombian society.
c. The Office is well run and administered.
d. The Office could extend its activities to parts of Colombia not yet covered due to the small amount of staff it has on the ground. They strongly recommended this.
e. The cooperation between the Office and different departments of the Government of Colombia is constructive and useful.
Having regard to these findings, it is my intention to discuss with the Government of Colombia, with partners and donor governments, how we can build in the future upon the solid foundation already laid by the Office. It is encouraging that the Government of Colombia has agreed to the continuation of the Office until April 2002.
Mr. Chairman,
During 1999, Colombia persevered in its efforts for a political solution to the internal armed conflict, which has plagued the nation for many years. President Pastrana has persisted in his efforts and has continued to show leadership and commitment in the search for peace. I strongly encourage all of the parties to the conflict to re-double their efforts for the development of a comprehensive agreement based on respect for international human rights and humanitarian law, bearing in mind the critical role that such agreements have played in achieving peace in other regions of the world.
Despite the efforts for peace, the human rights situation in Colombia has deteriorated significantly. This deterioration has seen a rise in the number of allegations of extra-judicial executions - many of these having taken the form of massacres - the persistence of torture and enforced disappearances, and an increase in the number of death threats. The majority of these allegations has been attributed to paramilitary groups. The Office has also received complaints which charge members of the armed forces and police with responsibility for human rights violations. There is deep concern over the widespread impunity for those who have been involved in such human rights violations. This is a fundamental problem which needs to be addressed with a renewed sense of urgency.
The most vulnerable groups are, as usual, human rights defenders, members of displaced communities, union leaders and leaders of indigenous communities, social workers, representatives of the academic community, religious leaders and public servants and witnesses involved in criminal procedures.
In global terms, Colombia has one of the largest populations of displaced persons in the world. The magnitude and urgency of this problem has been recognized by this Commission and by the Colombian Government. Last year’s visit by Mr. Francis Deng, the Representative of the Secretary-General on Internally Displaced Persons, highlighted the plight of Colombia’s internally displaced and the need to implement related international recommendations. However, to date, the measures that have been adopted have not managed to prevent or reduce this phenomenon. Efforts to provide adequate protection and assistance to the internally displaced, have also fallen short of needs.
The widespread practice of kidnapping, known as hostage taking, by guerrilla groups has escalated. This has principally affected civilians and a growing number of minors. The proliferation of attacks by guerilla and paramilitary groups which indiscriminately affect the civilian population is a cause for serious concern.
I welcome the decision by the Colombian Government to separate minors under 18 years old from the ranks. At the same time, I deplore the fact that the guerilla groups persist in the recruitment of children who are made to participate directly and actively in hostilities.
As far as the increasing number of human rights violations attributed to members of paramilitary groups is concerned, I urge the authorities to take stringent measures to put an end to this phenomenon, including the establishment of appropriate new bodies, and the arrest, trial and punishment of those who, by whatever means, participate in or support paramilitary groups.
Another important issue that requires the urgent attention of the Colombian authorities concerns the implementation of the international recommendations. I invite the Commission to urge more progress in their implementation.
Last year, President Pastrana presented his ‘Policy for the promotion, respect and guarantee of human rights and application of international humanitarian law’, which is a valuable foundation from which to confront the crisis situation that is affecting the country. Our office in Colombia is lending support to the Vice President’s Office in designing a National Human Rights Action Plan, in compliance with the Vienna Declaration.
Our office in Colombia is available to continue the dialogue on how best to improve the human rights situation in the country.
Finally, I want to thank the governments which have made financial contributions to our office in Colombia and the European Commission for the support that they gave us until the end of 1999. I would like to invite governments and the European Commission to renew, and if possible, increase their commitment of political and financial support to our office in Colombia in order that it may effectively carry out the duties extended to it by this Commission.
Thank you.
56th session
14 April 2000
Statement of Mary Robinson,
High Commissioner for Human Rights
Introducing the report of the
OHCHR Office in Colombia
(E/CN.4/2000/11)
to the
56th Session of the Commission on Human Rights
Mr. Chairman,
Distinguished members of the Commission,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen;
I have the honour to present to the Commission the third report on the activities of our office in Colombia and on the situation of human rights in the country.
In presenting this report, there are a few additional observations that I should like to offer. In the first place, the situation of human rights in Colombia remains a grave one. In fact, according to the evidence gathered by our colleagues in the Colombia Office, the situation is deteriorating. This is a sad and sobering comment to have to make, as I reflect back on my own visit to Bogota in October 1998.
Second, the challenges faced by the Colombian Government in seeking to re-establish peace in the face of insurrection, paramilitary formations, widespread lawlessness and drug trafficking, is a daunting one. I should like to encourage the Government of Colombia to strive for the restoration of peace with respect for human rights.
Third, as elsewhere, the international community must insist that all parties cooperate in the search for peaceful solutions through negotiations on the basis of respect for human rights and humanitarian law. This includes economic, social and cultural rights and more concern for the high number of internally displaced in the country. We must resolutely condemn any party or any group that would defy the call of the international community to abide by internationally-recognized norms of human rights and humanitarian law.
Fourth, I should like to advise the Commission that, since the issuance of our report, we have received the findings of our colleagues in the Office for Internal Oversight Services, who have just carried out an evaluation of our Colombia Office. Their findings included the following:
a. Everyone recognizes that our Colombia Office is rendering valuable service in a difficult situation.
b. The Office has succeeded in communicating its presence throughout Colombian society.
c. The Office is well run and administered.
d. The Office could extend its activities to parts of Colombia not yet covered due to the small amount of staff it has on the ground. They strongly recommended this.
e. The cooperation between the Office and different departments of the Government of Colombia is constructive and useful.
Having regard to these findings, it is my intention to discuss with the Government of Colombia, with partners and donor governments, how we can build in the future upon the solid foundation already laid by the Office. It is encouraging that the Government of Colombia has agreed to the continuation of the Office until April 2002.
Mr. Chairman,
During 1999, Colombia persevered in its efforts for a political solution to the internal armed conflict, which has plagued the nation for many years. President Pastrana has persisted in his efforts and has continued to show leadership and commitment in the search for peace. I strongly encourage all of the parties to the conflict to re-double their efforts for the development of a comprehensive agreement based on respect for international human rights and humanitarian law, bearing in mind the critical role that such agreements have played in achieving peace in other regions of the world.
Despite the efforts for peace, the human rights situation in Colombia has deteriorated significantly. This deterioration has seen a rise in the number of allegations of extra-judicial executions - many of these having taken the form of massacres - the persistence of torture and enforced disappearances, and an increase in the number of death threats. The majority of these allegations has been attributed to paramilitary groups. The Office has also received complaints which charge members of the armed forces and police with responsibility for human rights violations. There is deep concern over the widespread impunity for those who have been involved in such human rights violations. This is a fundamental problem which needs to be addressed with a renewed sense of urgency.
The most vulnerable groups are, as usual, human rights defenders, members of displaced communities, union leaders and leaders of indigenous communities, social workers, representatives of the academic community, religious leaders and public servants and witnesses involved in criminal procedures.
In global terms, Colombia has one of the largest populations of displaced persons in the world. The magnitude and urgency of this problem has been recognized by this Commission and by the Colombian Government. Last year’s visit by Mr. Francis Deng, the Representative of the Secretary-General on Internally Displaced Persons, highlighted the plight of Colombia’s internally displaced and the need to implement related international recommendations. However, to date, the measures that have been adopted have not managed to prevent or reduce this phenomenon. Efforts to provide adequate protection and assistance to the internally displaced, have also fallen short of needs.
The widespread practice of kidnapping, known as hostage taking, by guerrilla groups has escalated. This has principally affected civilians and a growing number of minors. The proliferation of attacks by guerilla and paramilitary groups which indiscriminately affect the civilian population is a cause for serious concern.
I welcome the decision by the Colombian Government to separate minors under 18 years old from the ranks. At the same time, I deplore the fact that the guerilla groups persist in the recruitment of children who are made to participate directly and actively in hostilities.
As far as the increasing number of human rights violations attributed to members of paramilitary groups is concerned, I urge the authorities to take stringent measures to put an end to this phenomenon, including the establishment of appropriate new bodies, and the arrest, trial and punishment of those who, by whatever means, participate in or support paramilitary groups.
Another important issue that requires the urgent attention of the Colombian authorities concerns the implementation of the international recommendations. I invite the Commission to urge more progress in their implementation.
Last year, President Pastrana presented his ‘Policy for the promotion, respect and guarantee of human rights and application of international humanitarian law’, which is a valuable foundation from which to confront the crisis situation that is affecting the country. Our office in Colombia is lending support to the Vice President’s Office in designing a National Human Rights Action Plan, in compliance with the Vienna Declaration.
Our office in Colombia is available to continue the dialogue on how best to improve the human rights situation in the country.
Finally, I want to thank the governments which have made financial contributions to our office in Colombia and the European Commission for the support that they gave us until the end of 1999. I would like to invite governments and the European Commission to renew, and if possible, increase their commitment of political and financial support to our office in Colombia in order that it may effectively carry out the duties extended to it by this Commission.
Thank you.