Colombia

Lord Alderdice Excerpts

Monday 7th December 2020 Lords Chamber

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con)]

I shall certainly be happy to take that back to the UN Security Council.

[Lord Alderdice (LD) [V]]

My Lords, do Her Majesty’s Government accept the description of the head of the UN Mission in Colombia, Carlos Ruiz Massieu, of an

“epidemic of violence against social leaders, human rights defenders and former combatants”?

If so, what are they doing to address the situation, especially as regards the Colombian security forces?

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con)]

My Lords, I have already spoken to this issue and I agree with the noble Lord that the situation for human rights defenders is dire. We remain deeply concerned about the continuing presence of illegal armed groups in Colombia and their violence and intimidation, particularly towards local people, let alone human rights defenders. However, as I have already said, I can assure the noble Lord that all our support is inclusive, particularly as we continue to press the existing Government and the president for a renewal and real vigour behind the peace talks. In all their actions, the important work of human rights groups and human rights defenders, and more generally the citizens of Colombia, should be totally and fully protected.