I propose to take Questions Nos. 347 to 350, inclusive, together.
I am concerned at the persistent high levels of violence in some areas of Colombia, including in the Chocó and Urabá regions, and the effect that this is having on local populations and the environment. The signing of a peace agreement between the Government of Colombia and the FARC-EP in 2016 led to a substantial reduction in conflict in Colombia but local conflicts between illegal armed groups, and between these groups and the security forces, continue. During the pandemic, the conflicts have increased in the aforementioned areas as well as in a number of other locations.
I am pleased that the international community is addressing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on conflict and welcome the recent United Nations Security Council Resolution on that issue. I would like to reiterate the UN Secretary General’s call for humanitarian ceasefires during the pandemic.
Ireland has supported peace-building in Colombia since discussions took place in Havana leading to the peace agreement and we will continue to do so. We have been clear, in all our discussions with the Colombian Government, that an integral implementation of the agreement will be most effective in stabilising these post-conflict areas where violence persists. This includes the regular convening of the National Commission for Security Guarantees and a more holistic view of how to ensure the security of local communities. We have also emphasized to the Colombian Government the importance of increasing the presence of the State in these areas to ensure access to basic services and to build communities’ confidence in the ability of the State to protect them.
The effects of this ongoing violence on local populations are unacceptable, with increases in displacement and the killing of leaders and human rights defenders. Our Embassy in Bogotá is continuing to work closely with other members of the international community to convey our concerns to the Colombian Government and to work with them to strengthen implementation of the peace agreement. We believe that providing services to post-conflict communities, in particular through building local economies to provide alternatives to membership of armed groups, alongside crop substitution programmes to reduce drug production, should form part of this holistic response.
The Embassy has participated in monitoring visits to areas of concern, including a visit to Chocó in 2019, and works with its partner, Peace Brigades International, to follow developments in terms of Human Rights and to offer support to Human Rights Defenders. In addition to monitoring the situation, Ireland has contributed to the implementation of the peace agreement by financing both the European Union Trust Fund and the United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund, which work with Government on implementation projects. We also support civil society organisations through our grant to Christian Aid and aim to strengthen human rights in Colombia through support to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) office in the country. Ireland has contributed over €14 million in support of the Colombian peace process since 2007.
I am aware of the ruling which grants the Rio Atrato, which flows through Chocó to the gulf of Uraba, a form of legal personality in order to strengthen the environmental protection of the area. Ireland is not directly supporting the implementation of the environmental action plan for Chocó but, as a member of the European Union, contributes to a number of environmental projects. In 2019, 26 projects for over €68 million were either in implementation or about to start. A previous project on sustainable fishing in the Atrato region was successfully concluded and a new forestry project is being considered. Our Embassy will continue to work with the EU delegation in country to ensure that supports to environmental projects, including the regional action plans, are developed and implemented.
I am also aware of the reports to which the Deputy refers regarding the collection of information on civil society organisations, human rights defenders, journalists and other groups in Colombia. Our Embassy in Bogotá has been monitoring the situation since reports came to light in January. Last month, Ambassador Milton participated in an EU Heads of Mission meeting with the Minister of Defence, Carlos Holmes Trujillo, where he outlined the Government’s response. President Duque has been clear that he is taking a zero tolerance response to the illegal collation of secret files. An internal investigation, started in December, is ongoing and the Ministry of Defence is sharing information with the Attorney General and Inspector General. A number of resignations from the Armed Forces, linked to the events, have taken place. The Embassy will continue to follow the situation closely, working with civil society partners, and will consider any requests for assistance including proposals for the involvement of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and OHCHR.
