Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
860. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has made an assessment of whether the excessive and disproportionate use of force and reported killings of civilian protestors in Colombia in recent months constitute a violation of Article 1 of the EU-Colombia free trade agreement; the steps Ireland has taken to assess human rights compliance under the agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40655/21]
View answerMy Department, including the Embassy of Ireland in Bogotá, closely monitors the human rights situation in Colombia and has been active, in co-ordination with our EU partners, in responding to human rights concerns that have emerged in Colombia in the context of the recent national strike.
I would like to express again my serious concern at the reported violence by the police in Colombia against protestors and observers, and also at attacks on the police themselves and police infrastructure, during the national strike. I trust that the Colombian authorities will fully investigate and bring those responsible for abuses or human rights violations to justice.
Earlier this month I had a phone call with the Vice-President and Foreign Minister of Colombia, Marta Ramirez, during which we discussed these issues and concerns.
High-level Political Dialogues between the EU and Colombia take place on a regular basis and human rights issues of concern are raised. The 6th High-Level Political Dialogue took place in December 2020 and discussed peacebuilding, stabilisation, human rights defenders and ex-combatants among other issues.
The human rights situation in Colombia is closely linked to the implementation of the peace agreement and Ireland supports the Colombian Government’s full implementation of these accords. Between 2016 and 2021, Ireland provided more than €13 million in funding to Colombia in areas such as human rights, conflict prevention and peacebuilding. We also continue to deepen our lesson-sharing programme based on the experience in Northern Ireland.
My Department will continue to closely monitor the human rights situation in Colombia,
There is no consideration at EU level of any invoking of a possible violation of Article 1 of the EU-Colombia trade agreement. As the Deputy will be aware, matters relating to trade agreements are the responsibility of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
