Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps are being taken to ensure Colombian police units receiving UK police training are not involved in human rights abuses.

We are clear that we support the right of all Colombians to protest peacefully. We look to the Colombian authorities to investigate fully the excessive use of force against protesters, and take appropriate action against those responsible. Security services must be held accountable for their actions, with all complaints thoroughly investigated. The UK is a key supporter of the implementation of Colombia's historic peace agreement. Over the past five years, the UK has provided £63 million through the Conflict, Security, and Stability Fund (CSSF), which has allowed us to provide niche technical and financial support on stabilisation, peacebuilding, and transitional justice.

Our Embassy regularly reviews Overseas Security and Justice Assessments, ensuring steps are taken to mitigate any risk human rights abuses, and strengthen the impact of our interventions on improving respect for human rights. HMG work on security and justice overseas is based on British values, including human rights and democracy.