Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 January 2017
68. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he had any dialogue at EU level regarding addressing the urgent situation whereby members of civil society are at extreme risk in view of the increase in attacks and murders of human rights defenders in Colombia, since the cease fire in August 2016. [3031/17]
View answerThe increase in attacks against human rights defenders in Colombia during 2016 is a matter of great concern. The situation is being closely monitored by my Department and by the Embassy of Ireland in Mexico, which is accredited to Colombia. I condemn unreservedly any intimidation or violence perpetrated against human rights defenders in Colombia or elsewhere.
I firmly believe that the Colombian peace process, which aims to create a virtuous circle between peacebuilding and respect for human rights, provides the framework in which the endemic violence which has afflicted Colombian society can successfully be addressed.
I had the opportunity to discuss the peace process in Colombia with my EU colleagues and with the President of Colombia, Mr Juan Manuel Santos, at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 12 December. The EU Special Envoy to the Colombian Peace Process, Mr Eamon Gilmore, also participated in our discussion. I made clear the importance Ireland attaches to supporting the implementation of the peace agreement, and noted the need for all parties to the process to maintain momentum and to ensure that the citizens of Colombia begin to see evidence of a peace dividend.
Ireland is a founder member and one of the largest contributors to the EU Trust Fund for Colombia. We have committed to providing €3 million in funding over the lifetime of the Fund, which aims to support the implementation of the peace agreement. Ireland has been closely involved in discussion of its strategic direction and advocated a strong human rights perspective for the Fund, in keeping with our commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights internationally. We will continue to prioritise this issue as the agreement between the Government of Colombia and the FARC is implemented in the months and years ahead.
Officials from my Department regularly meet representatives of human rights organisations active in Colombia. Most recently, in November 2016, they hosted a delegation from Peace Brigades International to discuss the worrying increase in violence against local leaders and human rights defenders in Colombia to which the Deputy refers.
Officials from our Embassy in Mexico also regularly interact with organisations working to promote and defend human rights in Colombia. Ireland has provided more than €5 million to international and local civil society organizations in Colombia since 2009, including to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Christian Aid, amongst others. In addition, Ireland regularly raises issues relating to human rights directly in Bogotá and via the UN and European Union.
