Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made, or plan to make, to the government of Colombia about the prevention of sexual violence reportedly perpetrated by members of that country’s armed forces.

We are deeply concerned by reports of sexual violence by military actors in Colombia. We expect state authorities to comply fully with their human rights obligations, and are glad that the Colombian authorities have taken swift action to investigate these allegations and hold those responsible to account.

The United Kingdom remains committed to protecting and promoting human rights in Colombia, which the FCO has designated a Human Rights Priority Country. The UK has continued to provide support to help Colombia tackle the legacy of sexual violence from its long conflict. Since 2016, UK support to a network of survivors of sexual violence has helped document 1200 new cases which are now before the transitional justice system. The UK has also funded work to train rural medical professionals in how to attend cases of sexual violence, including with a view to preserving evidence to facilitate convictions. We are also supporting civil society organisations to work with the Special Jurisdiction for Peace on sexual violence cases through our contribution to the UN Trust Fund.