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Distr.
GENERAL E/CN.4/2003/NGO/271
4 April 2003
Original: ENGLISH
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English only
COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
Fifty-ninth session
Item 3 of the agenda
ORGANIZATION OF THE WORK OF THE SESSION
Written statement* submitted by the Christian Aid, a non-governmental organization
in special consultative status
The Secretary-General has received the following written statement which is circulated in accordance with Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31.
[2 April 2003]
Christian Aid in Colombia
Christian Aid, a leading UK and Irish relief and development agency, has worked in Colombia since the late 1980s. Through its I3 local Colombian partners, ranging from peasant and indigenous groups to human rights organisations, Christian Aid is working to build a society in which civil and political, as well as economic, social and cultural rights are guaranteed.
Christian Aid therefore supports projects aimed at the promotion of these rights and at the development of communities excluded or exploited within the current social, political and economic model.
National Context
Poverty in Colombia has risen dramatically over the last seven years. Sixty per cent of Colombians – some 26 million people – now live in poverty. For Afro-Colombians this figure rises to 80 per cent. As the new government of President Alvaro Uribe Vélez implements cuts in social spending, while increasing military spending and introducing regressive tax measures, there is growing concern that the government is failing to address the needs of the poor. Christian Aid and its partner organisations see the inevitable result: increasing numbers of people living in poverty and struggling for a livelihood.
Christian Aid shares the fears of many observers that the abrupt end of the peace process between the government and the FARC in February 2002, together with the international climate created by the events of 11 September 2001, have strengthened the authorities' resolve to implement an increasingly militarised security policy and thereby contributing to an escalation of the conflict. Ten years ago an estimated 11 people a day were killed or disappeared for socio-political reasons. Today that figure has leapt to 20 per day – a total of 8000 people per year. A quarter of these die in combat, either as combatants or civilians caught in the crossfire. The other three-quarters are murdered outside areas of active combat.
Protect civilians and human rights defenders
Christian Aid is concerned that both existing legislation and legislation now being prepared are contributing to the erosion of civilians' rights and safety. Since President Uribe began his term in office in August 2002 he has declared a State of Internal Commotion, granted police and security forces special judicial powers, launched a network of paid informers and introduced a proposal for armed civilians to act as peasant soldiers in isolated villages. The government now proposes to convert many of the State of Internal Commotion measures into permanent legislation through a draft security law soon to be presented to Congress.
Christian Aid's partner organisations report that in 2002, in particular after the present government took office, the climate of hostility towards human rights defenders, trade unions and those working with the displaced population increased dramatically. Parallel to this, worrying details have emerged regarding what appears to be a significant weakening of the human rights unit in the attorney general's office.
Christian Aid believes it is imperative that the Colombian government comply with its duty to protect civilians and those working in defence of human rights – members of NGOs, trade unions, and popular and social organisations.
National plan of action on human rights and international humanitarian law
Six months into the Uribe presidency, there has been little progress in establishing an action plan on human rights and international humanitarian law, despite an agreement made at the end of 2002 between the government and NGOs that established a mechanism for this plan. Instead, there seems to be a gradual undermining of constitutional guarantees.
The government appears to be transforming its policy on human rights and humanitarian law into a security policy. Christian Aid asks that the Colombian government recognise, and act upon, its obligation to implement a serious policy based on international recommendations in order to care for vulnerable members of the population, eliminate impunity, dismantle paramilitary forces, promote respect for humanitarian law, and guarantee economic, social and cultural rights.
Christian Aid believes the Colombian government must strengthen the protection of human rights, through developing and implementing a national plan of action for human rights and international humanitarian law in line with the Vienna declaration, and international recommendations. This implies the full involvement of civil society organisations, the UN system and international organisations in the establishment and monitoring of the plan.
Forced displacement
Christian Aid is alarmed by the rising number of internally displaced people. In the period January to October 2002, between 231,000 and 353,100 people were forcibly displaced. Children make up 65 per cent of displaced people and their health and well-being are deeply affected as a result. Studies show that children become malnourished after the fifth month of displacement.
Two widely respected non-governmental organisations, the Colombian Commission of Jurists and the Colombian Mennonite Foundation for Development, reported last year:
'Authorities responsible for prevention and for assistance for the displaced population treat the phenomenon of forced displacement as though it were a problem of public order or just another component of the country's persistent and endemic poverty. This ignores the fact that forced displacement involves multiple, massive and continued violations of human rights of the displaced people as well as the right of the victims to the truth, justice and comprehensive reparation.''1
Christian Aid agrees with the conclusions reached by the UNHCR that protection of rights and prevention of human rights abuses should be at the core of any public policy if it is to be effective. 2
It believes it is imperative that the Colombian government prioritise a genuine and well-resourced policy on forced displacement, which places prevention and protection of rights at its centre.
Recommendations to the Commission
To ask, as a matter of urgency, that the government of Colombia:
1. comply with its duty to protect civilians and civil society organisations including trade unions, community groups and human rights organisations, recognising the contribution these organisations make to strengthening democracy and the rule of law
2. strengthen the protection of human rights, through developing and implementing a national plan of action for human rights and international humanitarian law in line with the Vienna declaration, and international recommendations from the United Nations
3. fully commit to, and fund, a policy on forced displacement, which places prevention and protection of human rights at its core.
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* This written statement is issued, unedited, in the language(s) received from the submitting non-governmental organization(s).
1. Follow up to Recommendations of the Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations on Internally Displaced Persons 1999-2002. Colombian Commission of Jurists and the Colombian Mennonite Foundation for Development, p.6
2. Balance de la política de atencíon al desplazamiento forzado en Colombia 1999 – 2002, UNHCR, p.166
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