Human Rights in Colombia

On August 7, former Defence Minister Juan Manuel Santos will assume office as the new President of Colombia.

In the weeks before the exit of outgoing President Alvaro Uribe, there has been a spate of threats and attacks on human rights defenders and other social activists. 

The transition as one administration takes over from the other is a potentially dangerous time. Would-be perpetrators of human rights abuses may well attempt to take advantage of a period in which the out-going and incoming administrations may be perceived as less able to respond to human rights crises.

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Nineteen months after the government signed a contentious free trade agreement with Colombia amidst a human rights crisis in that country, the FTA finally passed Third Reading in the House of Commons by a vote of 188-79. Bill C-2 to implement the deal awaits approval by the Senate.

Liberal Party endorsement of the FTA was linked to a controversial side agreement it negotiated with the Colombian government, which allows both the Canadian and Colombian governments to write their own human rights reports on the impacts of the FTA. This is a far cry from the independent human rights impact assessment which Amnesty International has repeatedly urged should be carried out prior to implementation of the trade deal so that potential problems could be addressed and abuses prevented. Amnesty International joined other civil society organizations to publicly express concern and disappointment about the fallout for human rights protection.

Joint Statement | Testimony to MPs 

Parliamentary hearings on the controversial Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement were shut down on June 1, blocking Colombian Indigenous, Afro-descendent and human rights leaders from testifying. Bill C-2 moves forward without adequate study in Committee, a prior independent human rights impact assessment or enforceable mechanisms for holding companies accountable in the event of human rights abuses, whether direct or indirect. With the committee hearings now shut down, the trade bill will return to the House of Commons, as early as June 7, for the report stage before a third reading vote by MPs.

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The lives of those who speak out against the negative impact of mining development on Indigenous and Afro-descendent communities are once again in grave danger. On 31 May, a threat signed by the Aguilas Negras paramilitary group was sent to several leaders in southwestern Colombia.

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Amnesty International has issued a public statement to condemn the killing on May 23 of human rights defender Alexander Quintero, President of the Alto Naya Association of Community Action Councils. For years, he had campaigned for truth, justice and reparation for the victims of the paramilitary Naya massacre in 2001, in which more than 30 people were killed and more than 70 forcibly disappeared.

The shooting death of Alexander Quintero is the latest in a troubling increase in killings and threats against witnesses, family members of victims, lawyers, prosecutors, judges and human rights defenders involved in criminal cases into human rights abuses committed in the context of the long-running armed conflict.

Public statement 

As Amnesty International Canada continues to call for an independent human rights impact assessment of the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, threats continue against Colombians who try to draw attention to the impact of economic development on their land. Amnesty International is seriously concerned about reports that paramilitaries plan to assassinate Enrique Petro, a prominent activist of the Afro-descendent communities in the Curvaradó and Jiguamiandó River Baisins. Why? Paramiliaries accuse Enrique Petro of promoting the visit of national and international human rights organizations to monitor human rights violations linked to the massive development of African palm plantations in the area.

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The government of Stephen Harper has now tabled new legislation, Bill C-2, to implement the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement and indicated it is a top priority. Previous proposed legislation, which had been the subject of much contention among MPs, died when the government prorogued Parliament.

In promoting the new legislation, the government says Colombia is “a strategic destination” for Canadian direct investment in mining and oil exploration, amongst other sectors.

Last month,we released a new report that documents an intensification of violence against Indigenous leaders and communities, many of whom live in areas valued for their minerals, oil and other natural resources. During 2009 alone, thousands of Indigenous women, men and children were killed, threatened or driven from their land. According to the National Indigenous Organization of Colombia (ONIC), the survival of 32 Indigenous groups is at grave risk as a result of the armed conflict, large scale economic projects and a lack of state support.

It is hard to think of anything that could be a more compelling reason to initiate an independent human rights impact assessment of the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement.

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As the world celebrates International Women's Day, women and girls in Colombia continue to be targeted with sexual violence amidst the ongoing armed conflict. Indigenous women living in isolated areas of economic and military interest are particularly vulnerable. 

This terrible situation continues to be largely hidden behind a veil of silence.

In the photo: "Women's bodies are NOT war booty" reads the t-shirt worn by an Indigenous woman taking part in a march of women against the armed conflict. Credit: Ruta Pacifica de las Mujeres

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A new report by Amnesty International is a wake up cry to the international community to recognize and address an emergency situation for Indigenous Peoples in Colombia.

The number of killings has increased. So too have threats aimed at forcing Indigenous peoples off land valued for minerals, oil or agricultural potential. Colombia's National Indigenous Organization warns that the survival of 32 Indigenous groups is at grave risk as a result of the armed conflict, large-scale economic projects and lack of state support.

The threats are so serious that the UN's Rapporteur on Indigenous People is calling for a visit by the UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide.

Media Release and Report | Take Action

The Harper government’s decision to prorogue – or end - this session of Parliament ahead of its normal timetable ends all government business. MP committee activity ceases, including the committee that was examining the controversy around Afghan detainees AND the International Trade Committee to which we recently provided testimony about Colombia. 

Prorogation also puts an end to all bills introduced by the government that have not received Royal Assent prior to prorogation. This affects Bill C-23 that would have implemented the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. During the next session of Parliament set to begin in March, the government will have to reintroduce the bill and have it go through all of the legislative stages, although it may seek cooperation from opposition parties to move the legislation forward quickly and avoid holding again dozens of hours of hearings and debates.

The government remains determined to pass this legislation. So at one point or another in 2010, MPs will likely be called to vote on Bill C-23. Amidst clear evidence of a grave human rights and humanitarian crisis in Colombia, Amnesty International opposes Bill C-23 going forward without an independent human rights impact assessment.

With MPs now back in their riding, we urge you to contact your MP to express your concerns and request support for an independent human rights impact study that considers the effect the trade agreement will have on human rights -- particularly on vulnerable sectors of the population like women, subsistence farmers, trade unionists, Indigenous peoples and Afro-descendent communities. This is very important since MPs are swayed by the determination of people living in their ridings to show this issue will determine their vote in a future election.

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