PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 56 – UK Statement on technical cooperation in Colombia [July 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 July 2024.

Interactive Dialogue on High Commissioner’s report on technical cooperation in Colombia. Delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.

Thank you, Mr. Vice-President.

We salute Colombia’s collaboration with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, a model for the entire region and beyond.

We support Colombia’s rural development and reintegration programmes and the transitional justice mechanisms. These measures have strengthened the security and participation of the communities in conflict-affected areas.

We support attempts to implement fully the 2016 agreement. Yet, as recognised by the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, several challenges remain, especially regarding human security, with over one million new displacements.

We take this opportunity to pay tribute to the courage of the victims still providing evidence for the ongoing work of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace.

We commend the International Human Rights expert’s advice that Colombia implements the Truth Commission’s recommendation for an independent mechanism to seek justice. We urge all parties to implement these recommendations, and to support their implementation.

That is why the UK also supports the High Commissioner’s provision of capacity-building mechanisms to support the Attorney General’s Office. These mechanisms will further the comprehensive implementation of the 2016 agreement, by supporting transitional justice.

Mr Salazar,

How will your Office integrate a local approach in the provision of technical cooperation and capacity building?