Roundtable Discussion on Colombian HRDs and communities at risk

The PHRG, in conjunction with Peace Brigades International UK (PBI UK), hosted a meeting with Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) from the Communidad de Paz of San José de Apartadó (“the Peace Community”):  

• Ruby (Yudis Alba) Arteaga; and,  

• José Roviro. 

Also sharing her insights and making recommendations:  

• Christina Challis from PBI UK  

Fabian Hamilton MP, PHRG Chair, chaired the roundtable. 

Main points: 

• Colombia remains one of the world’s deadliest countries for HRDs, with violence against them actually having increased since the Peace Accord was concluded in 2016. 

• The Peace Community was founded in 1997 as a community-led peace initiative, to protect their members’ territory and livelihoods, and as a mark of resistance against all the warring parties. It has been credited with inspiring others to follow the path of peace. 

• International recognition and support have been crucial to its survival. 

• The leaders and members of the Peace Community continue to be threatened on a daily basis, particularly by the paramilitary groups who control the area and often supported by business actors/activities; over the years, hundreds have been killed, with two of their members brutally murdered most recently on 19 March.  There is impunity for these crimes. 

• Despite important Court rulings mandating their greater protection and the Petro Government’s renewed commitment to the implementation of the Peace Accord, the challenges in their area remain unchanged. 

• The Peace Community is calling for greater engagement by the diplomatic community and Parliamentarians, including with visits, as well as stronger monitoring of the implementation of the Peace Accord, enhanced protection measures, compliance with related Court judgments, and investigations into crimes committed against them. 

The PHRG will continue to champion and call for the enhanced protection of HRDs in Colombia, including leaders and members of the Peace Community, particularly given that threats against them have increased since the conclusion of the Peace Accord in 2016.