UK supports full implementation of the peace agreement in Colombia and calls for security guarantees for former combatants: UK statement at the UN Security Council
Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Colombia.
Thank you, President, and let me echo your appreciation to the Government of Colombia, the UN Secretariat, the United Nations Verification Mission led by SRSG Ruiz Massieu and to all the interlocutors we engaged with in Columbia.
I’d also like to thank my co-leads Guyana Presidency and Switzerland for their close cooperation throughout the visit. And I’ll reflect upon the sessions led by the United Kingdom.
In Bogota, the Security Council heard firm commitment as you said President, to the 2016 Peace Agreement and the importance of security guarantees for former combatants from Government entities in charge of peace implementation.
The Council also met with the High Commissioner for Peace, Otty Patiño, to discuss the Government’s vision to broaden peace through dialogue. It was an opportune moment to discuss the ELN process given the recent ceasefire extension, which we mandated the Mission to monitor. The Council discussed the dialogue with the EMC which we’ve indicated a willingness to consider mandating the UN to support.
The High Commissioner shared his vision of territorial transformation, extending the state’s presence in rural areas which you referred to, and the importance of peace delivering benefits such as schools, healthcare, and infrastructure. The Council welcomed efforts to strengthen the humanitarian provisions of the ceasefires and encouraged further steps to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population.
In our meeting with the signatories to the Peace Agreement in Agua Bonita, we welcomed their unwavering commitment to peace and also we met them in Bogota. The signatories called on the Government to accelerate the implementation of the Agreement including by appointing an entity at the highest level to coordinate efforts.
The Council shared concern about former combatants’ insecurity and the 418 former combatants killed since the signing of the Agreement. We encouraged the Government to accelerate efforts to develop rapid protection plans.
As you mentioned President, we also went to Buenaventura, and just to add to what you said, I think it’s worth saying that five years ago, the Council was unable to meet a female community leader because of fears for her security, and this time that very same leader – who is now the Vice President – accompanied us to her region, which I think shows the extent of the transformation underway in Colombia.
This was an opportunity as you said President, for Council members to focus on the Ethnic Chapter and to hear first-hand from those whose daily work focuses on building peace at local levels. And the Council also heard from youth representatives to understand their daily reality and their calls for educational and economic opportunities.
As you said President, everywhere we saw the UN Verification Mission, UN agencies, Colombian Government, communities, and individuals working together to build sustainable peace. Peace is not an abstract concept – it’s a real social cause which is a whole of society effort.
Thank you.