Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Colombian Government on the need for (a) individual and (b) collective protection mechanisms for human rights defenders in that country.

The UK raised concerns about violence against human rights defenders (HRDs) during the Universal Periodic Review of Colombia's human rights on 10 May in Geneva. During the review, Colombia also accepted all UK recommendations including to improve protective measures for HRDs.

I have also discussed the importance of tackling violence against HRDs with visiting Colombian officials, most recently President Duque's adviser for International Affairs and Human Rights during his visit to London on 17 October. The British Ambassador in Bogota has also raised the issue of collective protection mechanisms in a meeting with the Director of Colombia's National Protection Unit on 26 November. Through our Embassy-run human rights programme, the UK is working with the Norwegian Refugee Council to implement a collective protection mechanism for 'at risk' HRDs in rural communities.

I welcome the Colombian Government's decision to host an official visit by the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights Defenders, Mr Michel Forst. The UK is ready to help the Colombian Government implement the recommendations in Mr Forst's final report.