Dublin: Irish launch of the international campaign “Colombia: Human Rights Defenders Under Threat”

At an event in Dublin today a coalition of Irish and international NGOs joined forces to launch a campaign for the protection of human rights defenders under threat in Colombia. The members of the coalition, ABColombia, Front Line, Trócaire and Christian Aid highlighted the fact that while the recent establishment of a formal dialogue on human rights with Colombia is a positive initiative more should be done since human rights defenders in Colombia still face a critical situation.

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Ireland and the EU must as a matter of urgency prioritise the grave situation of human rights defenders in their relations with Colombia” said Sophie Haspeslagh, ABColombia's Programme and Advocacy Manager.

The event organisers recalled that on 18 September, Margaret Sekaggya, UN special rapporteur for human rights defenders, who visited Colombia said she remained concerned over "the pattern of harassment and persecution against human rights defenders." She stated that the prime reason for such levels of insecurity lies in the systematic stigmatisation of defenders by Government officials, and that impunity for violations against defenders “contributes significantly to their insecurity”.

“Those who defend human rights and the rule of law are at risk of systematic stigmatisation, threats, sexual violence, unfounded criminal proceedings, violent attacks and killings carried out by all actors in the Colombian conflict. In most cases, they do not have sufficient safety guarantees and work in a climate of fear.” said Jim Loughran of Front Line.

It has recently been revealed that the intelligence agency which reports directly to the Colombian President, the DAS (Departamento Administrativo de Seguridad – Security Administrative Department), has systematically and illegally been intercepting the telephones and E-mails of human rights organisations, journalists, and even Supreme Court judges. The objective according to those responsible was to “restrict and neutralise their [human rights defenders] work”

Eduardo Carreño, a human rights activist and lawyer of the José Alvear Restrepo Lawyers' Collective (Corporación Colectivo de Abogados José Alvear Restrepo" - CCAJAR) gave a testimony on the situation faced by human rights defenders in Colombia. CAJAR was the specific target of the DAS intelligence operation which began in 2004 and involved members of the DAS monitoring the lawyers´ activities. Eduardo said that “the DAS actions do not appear to have been limited to collecting information but also to intimidating us.”

The campaign is calling on the EU to act on a more institutionalised and common base to ensure that the situation of human rights defenders in Colombia remains at the top of the EU's trade political and diplomatic agenda. Follwing the launch of the campaign in the UK, The UK's Foreign Secretary Mr. David Millband welcomed the campaign, reaffirming the UK’s continued recognition and support for the important role that human rights defenders play in civil society.

“Ireland and the other members of the EU must also act to benefit human rights defenders, by acting as a channel to raise specific concerns and by asking for concrete responses to the situation of human rights defenders” said Justin Kilcullen of Trocaire.

The members of the coalition commended the important contributions made by the European Union (EU) to the protection of human rights defenders worldwide and particularly in Colombia. The adoption of the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders, under the Irish presidency, in 2004 is a clear illustration of the general interest and concern of the EU in this respect.

The Council conclusions on Colombia have represented another important expression of concern on the situation of human rights defenders in this country. This effort has been complemented recently by specific declarations by the Presidency of the EU (19 May 2008 on defenders in general and 19 December 2008 on the case of Colombian defender Edwin Legarda). Additionally, the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights has been positively used by the European Commission to provide economic support for the activities of human rights organisations.

The campaign calls on the Irish Government, all EU member states and the EU authorities, in particular the Council, the Commission and the Parliament.

1.To Call on the Colombian authorities to adopt the recommendations of the "Campaign for the Right to Defend Human Rights in Colombia", to respect its international commitments and in particular to promptly implement the recommendations and commitments on human rights defenders made during the Universal Periodic Review (December 2008).

2.The Irish Government should prioritise the monitoring of the recommendation it made to Colombia during the Universal Periodic Review of the United Nations Human Rights Council in December 2008, which urged the full implementation of Presidential Directive 7 of 1999 that prohibits declarations by public servants that put the lives, integrity or security of human rights defenders at risk. In particular, the Irish government should call on the Colombian Government to give public recognition and support to human rights defenders, sanction those who make unsubstantiated allegations against human rights defenders, strengthen the protection programme and investigate and punish crimes against human rights defenders.

3.That the Irish Government through the European Union use its influence and expertise to advance a full implementation of the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders, a commitment adopted by all member states in 2004, and revised in 2008.

You can join the campaign to protect human rights defenders in Colombia here

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT : Jim Loughran - Front Line 087 9377586 Hilary Daly - Trócaire – 086 1609338 John Moffet - Christian Aid tel  01 6110801