Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 May 2022
72. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he raised human rights with his Colombian counterparts, or any other stakeholders, during his March 2022 visit to Colombia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25368/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDuring my recent visit to Colombia, human rights was discussed as part of a programme designed to explore all aspects of our bilateral relationship, including regional issues, trade relations and peace process implementation. I raised the issues around human rights in Colombia throughout my visit with various stakeholders, including in meetings with President Duque and Vice President Ramirez.
I discussed peace process implementation with President Duque and also expressed Ireland’s concern at the threats to social leaders in the country and the levels of armed violence and its negative impacts, including in the context of this year’s elections. In addition, I discussed peace implementation and the issues around human rights with Vice President and Foreign Minister Marta Lucia Ramirez. The visit by Vice President Ramirez to Dublin at the start of April offered a further opportunity to discuss these issues at a political level with the Colombian Government.
Furthermore, while in Colombia I met with UN Special Representative, Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, to discuss peace agreement implementation and security, and I separately spoke with the Presidents of Colombia’s Truth Commission and the Unit for the Search of Disappeared Persons on their work. I also had the opportunity to visit an income-generating project established by ex-FARC combatants, as well as a HALO Trust demining project that is supported by funding from Irish Aid. These issues were discussed as part of a programme designed to explore all aspects of our bilateral relationship, including regional issues and trade relations.
Ireland, including through the Department of Foreign Affairs and our Embassy in Bogota, closely monitors the human rights situation in Colombia and has been consistently active, in co-ordination with our EU partners, in responding to human rights concerns.
The situation with regard to human rights in Colombia is closely linked with implementation of the Colombian Peace Agreement, and Ireland has long been a supporter of the comprehensive implementation of the accord. Between 2016 and 2021, Ireland provided just under €17 million in funding to Colombia, focusing on the implementation of the agreement, as well as human rights, broader conflict prevention and peacebuilding, and supporting Venezuelan migrants. Ireland also operates a lesson-sharing programme with Colombia based on peacebuilding in Northern Ireland. Ireland’s new Strategy for the Latin America and Caribbean region foresees this engagement being continued and strengthened over the next four years as a priority.
In addition, our seat on the UN Security Council has allowed us to deepen our engagement on these issues. In Ireland’s statements to the Council on Colombia this year and last, we have commended Colombia on the progress made in implementation of the Agreement, while consistently calling for its full implementation, particularly the provisions on gender and ethnicity. In addition, we have on each occasion made our concerns clear at the high levels of violence experienced by social leaders, human rights defenders and ex-combatants.
These messages have also been communicated to the Colombian authorities through our Embassy in Bogota and the EU Delegation in-country, with which Ireland works closely on human rights and peacebuilding in Colombia.
I can assure the Deputy that the Irish Government will continue to monitor the human rights situation in Colombia and remain active in our response, and will continue to raise issues of concern with stakeholders wherever appropriate and feasible.
