UN HRC53: General comment on human rights situation in Colombia
Statement on technical cooperation and capacity-building in the field of human rights in Colombia. Delivered by UK Ambassador to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.
Thank you, Mr President.
Let me begin by thanking Colombia for presenting this timely and important initiative to the Council. We have valued their openness and transparency throughout the negotiations.
Colombia serves as an important example that resolving enduring differences is only possible through peaceful dialogue. We commend Colombia’s ongoing collaboration with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the intent of this text to strengthen this relationship.
The Colombian people have achieved substantial progress since the signing of the 2016 Peace Agreement. Yet, as we recognised at the Security Council yesterday, several challenges remain to ensuring full implementation of the Peace Agreement and to securing lasting peace in Colombia.
The security situation has been given repeated attention by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and is detailed in the Truth Commission’s final report, a vital milestone on Colombia’s path to peace.
We take this opportunity to pay tribute to the Truth Commissioner’s hard work and to the thousands of victims who gave evidence for their courage. We urge all parties to implement the Commission’s recommendations, and to support the committee that will supervise their implementation.
That is why the UK supports the appointment of an international human rights expert and the provision of technical assistance to support Colombia and relevant actors as they look to implement the recommendations of the Commission for the Clarification of Truth, Coexistence, and Non-Repetition.
It is only right that international partners pursue and strengthen their assistance for Colombian-led efforts to tackle the underlying causes of violence and to securing lasting peace.
Mr President,
The UK has co-sponsored this draft resolution. We urge all members of the Council to join us in fully supporting without reserve Colombia’s request for assistance in the field of human rights.
Thank you.