The Department of Foreign Affairs continues to closely engage with the company and communities in Colombia referred to in the Deputy’s question. This a multi-layered, highly complex situation with various differing viewpoints, legal considerations, and other perspectives at play.
As previously outlined, officials from my Department have met with all parties to gain a deeper understanding of the circumstances and to support the development of an inclusive dialogue through which the issues surrounding this situation may be resolved.
The Embassy of Ireland to Colombia again visited the region and met with the stakeholders involved in September 2022 to this end.
We welcome the willingness of all parties to engage constructively in a dialogue process. Our Embassy will maintain communication with all sides with a view to supporting the development and implementation of this dialogue. We hope that this will result in a long-term and inclusive solution that respects the rights of all concerned.
Moreover, we welcome the Colombian Government’s recent efforts to engage with all parties to promote dialogue, and their commitment to engage in land reforms that improve equality of land access.
Regarding engagement with the UN Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council, in July 2022 I received a Joint Communication on this situation from several Mandate holders. Ireland's response is available on the communications reporting website, along with the letter (link: https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=37176) . This response highlighted our efforts to support an inclusive dialogue process among all the actors, and our support to the peace process.
It also laid out the work Ireland has done to date on business and human rights, including the publication of the National Action Plan (NAP) on Business and Human Rights in 2017. Under the NAP, the Implementation Group developed a guidance document on Business and Human Rights for Irish companies, including a section on Human Rights Defenders. Ireland is proactive in the protection of Human Rights Defenders, working closely with the UN Special Rapporteur, with leading NGOs, and with Human Rights Defenders themselves in this regard.
