PRESS RELEASE : The UK remains concerned about persistent levels of violence in Colombia – UK statement at the UN Security Council [July 2024]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 July 2024.
Statement by UK Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Colombia.
President Petro, first let me thank you and all our interlocutors in Colombia for hosting the Security Council’s very valuable visit in February. We welcome your continued commitment to full implementation of the 2016 Agreement and to build sustainable peace in Colombia. The next two years of your Government will be critical. So we thank you for you report and your update on your fast track proposals.
The 2016 Agreement is a blueprint to transform Colombia and its territories which requires a whole of society effort. Now is the time to build consensus and accelerate efforts across all three pillars. We welcome the reinvigoration of high-level coordination mechanisms of the Agreement and we urge collective action between the Government and the State entities to demonstrate that commitment to peace delivers for all Colombians.
We welcome Colombia’s continued focus on addressing the root causes of conflict. We remain concerned about persistent levels of violence and threats, particularly in Cauca, Valle del Cauca, and Caquetá, and reports that areas for training and reintegration are closing due to insecurity. We strongly condemn the targeting of peace signatories, of human rights defenders, women and social leaders and indigenous communities. We call on Colombia to ensure their safety and security, as well as bringing the perpetrators to justice. We encourage Colombia to use the security guarantee mechanisms established in the Agreement and we look forward to the implementation of the public policy to dismantle illegal armed groups.
As you take forward building peace through dialogue, civil society participation is essential. We welcome the agreement with the ELN on the 25 May for their inclusion in the process. We also call upon the ELN to re-commit to ending the use of kidnapping and take concrete steps to protect communities. We note the recent divisions within the so-called EMC. And we welcome and recognise that some entities remain committed to the ceasefire. We call upon the EMC to refrain from violence and demonstrate their commitment to peace through dialogue.
President Petro, SRSG Ruiz Massieu, members of the Council, the United Kingdom will continue to partner and support Colombia along its path to sustainable peace. Now is the time to drive forward implementation to achieve lasting change.
