Lettre ouverte au Parlement européen et parlements nationales du continent européen/Open letter to the European Parliament and European countries parliaments/Carta abierta al Parlamento Europeo y Parlamentos nacionales de Europa.

Open letter to the European Parliament and European countries parliaments:

THE GOVERNMENT OF COLOMBIA MUST ABIDE BY THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE INTER-AMERICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS (IACHR)

We, human rights organizations, groups in solidarity with Colombia, citizens and residents of Europe, ask the European Parliament  and European countries parliaments to urge the Colombian government to comply with and implement the observations and recommendations made by of the Inter-American Commission on Human Righ (IACHR) and to adopt concrete actions to stop the serious and systematic human rights violations occurring in this Latin American country.

Brussels, 09-07-2021. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) visited Colombia from 8 to 10 June 2021 with the aim of verifying the grim human rights situation occurring in the context of the social protests, which began on 28 April. After the working visit, the IACHR presented its observations and 40 recommendations to the government of Colombia, in a document released on 7 July 2021 (1).

Contrary to expectations, in a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 7th July 2021, the Colombian state rejected and distanced itself from the observations made by the IACHR and questioned the suitability and veracity of the work carried out on the ground by this body and the testimonies of those who have been victims of repression (2).

We view with great concern the statements made by the Colombian government aimed at questioning and ignoring the observations and recommendations issued by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights which in itself constitutes a blatant disregard for their obligations under the American Convention on Human Rights (a treaty ratified by Colombia since 1973) and a disregard for the principles of good faith and pacta sunt servanda that are the basis of international law.

We deeply regret that the Colombian Government continues with its denialist practice, through which they try to hide their responsibility in the institutional violence during these 73 days of protests in Colombia and ignores the measures that have been recommended by the most important human rights body in the Americas.

The world has witnessed this barbarism. We have seen painful reports, audios and videos of police brutality and crimes committed. Hundreds of young people, victims, their relatives, social and human rights organizations have had the courage to denounce these serious human rights violations despite the general climate of terror and threat that has been established in Colombia.

For this reason, in addition to the IACHR, other international verification missions have travelled to Colombia, such as the International Mission of Solidarity and Observation of Human Rights – Argentina; the Mission of Parliamentarians of Catalonia (Spain); and the SOS Colombia Mission, which seeks to guarantee the right to protest and confront impunity in Colombia. These missions have produced reports that confirm the same situation.

However, the IACHR is one of the competent bodies to deal with matters related to compliance with the commitments made by the signing states. This convention has been incorporated into the Colombian domestic legal system and is part of the constitutional block. Therefore, the recommendations of the IACHR must be applied by the Colombian government and it should adopt all the provisions that allow for the rights and freedoms that are currently being violated, to be respected, as stipulated in articles 1 and 2 of the American Convention, as warned by the Colombian Constitutional Court has warned (3).

In its observations, the IACHR highlighted that social protests in Colombia have taken place in recent years as a result of “the profound inequality in the distribution of wealth, poverty, extreme poverty, and access to economic, social and cultural rights, in particular education, work and health. Likewise, the high levels of violence and impunity, as well as ethnic-racial and gender discrimination”, a situation that could be verified, and which is part of the structural and historical demands of Colombian society (4).

As part of its mandate, the IACHR in Colombia verified some of the human rights violations committed in the context of the protests, such as: the stigmatisation of demonstrators; the disproportionate use of force; ethnic-racial violence; violence against journalists and medical missions; irregularities in transfers for protection; allegations of disappearances; as well as the use of military assistance, the use of disciplinary powers and the military criminal jurisdiction (5). Also the use of gender-based violence as a mechanism of repression against women, girls and LGBTI community (6).

The IACHR highlighted the Colombian governments’ indiscriminate use of firearms against demonstrators and non-participants in the protests, the actions of armed people in civilian clothes, some of whom apparently acted with the acquiescence of members of the police (7), the physical, sexual and verbal aggressions, the use of glass marbles, bullets or rubber ammunition, as well as the indiscriminate and uninterrupted firing of tear gas or asphyxiating gases sometimes fired directly at the heads and thoraxes of the demonstrators (8). In this regard, the IACHR stated that it had received at least ten testimonies from people who suffered eye injuries of varying severity (9 ).

After a rigorous analysis based on international human rights law, the IACHR made 40 recommendations to the Colombian government, which include, among others, separating the National Police and its ESMAD from the Ministry of Defence (10) and promoting and strengthening a genuine national dialogue process, with the participation of all sectors, especially those who have been most affected by historical, social and structural discrimination in the country (11). In addition to the recommendations, the IACHR announced the installation of a “Special Human Rights Follow-up Mechanism for Colombia” (12).

We therefore call on the European Parliament and European countries parliaments:

1. To express support and backing for the observations and recommendations of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).

2. To express support and backing for the IACHR’s announcement to install a “Special Follow-up Mechanism on Human Rights for Colombia that will contribute to the consolidation of peace in the various sectors of society”.

3. Adopt the report of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and of the International Verification Missions that have travelled to Colombia, as important inputs in the analysis of the situation and in relation to the recommendations they have made.

4. Call on the Colombian government to comply with and implement the observations and recommendations made by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

SIGNATURES

I.                ORGANISATIONS

First Signatories

1. Defendamos La Paz Internacional.
2. Nexus Human Rights -Belgium.
3. Intal –Latin America
4. JOC Internationale.

Germany

• Kolumbienkampagne Berlín
• Unidos por la Paz Alemania

Belgium

• ARLAC asbl
• Collectif Saya Bruxelles
• Colombianos en Bélgica por la paz
• Nexus Human Rights
• SIEMPRE RED DE APOYO A mujeres Latinoamericanas y del Caribe en Bélgica
• SIEMPRE RED DE APOYO A mujeres Latinoamericanas y del Caribe en Bélgica

Canada

1. COLECTIVO POR LA MEMORIA SALVADOR ALLENDE
2. Chile
3. Defendamos La Paz capítulo Chile
4. Defendamos la paz internacional
5. Invisibles Por La Paz
6. Pacto Histórico en Chile

Colombia

1. Congreso de los Pueblos
2. Cooperativa multiactiva agropecuaria encanto de manantial COOPAMARO
3. CORPORACIÓN VIDA DEL RÍO FUCHA – CORVIF
4. FUNDACIÓN PAIS XXI (PAIS21)
5. Asociación Codo a Codo.

Spain

• AESCO BILBAO
• Asamblea Colombia Resiste en Madrid
• Asociación Astur Cubana Bartolomé de las Casas
• Asociación de colombianos en el país vasco
• Asociación Pueblo y Dignidad Asturias
• Colectivo de Solidaridad por la Justicia y Dignidad de los Pueblos. COLICHE
• Comité de Solidaridad co América Latina (COSAL XIXON)
• Comité por la paz de Colombia en Madrid.
• Corriente Sindical de Izquierda CSI Asturias
• Huitaca pacto por la vida y por la paz
• Interdindical Solidària
• Intersindical Valenciana
• Irídia – Centre per la Defensa dels Drets Humans
• SOLdePAZ.Pachakuti

France

• Espacio de Coordinación por la Vida, la Paz y la Dignidad- ECOVIPAD

Greece

• PDAI Polo Democrático Alternativo Internacional
• VAMOS POR LOS DERECHOS INTERNACIONAL

Italy

• Aps Migras

Mexico

• Colectivo por la Paz en Colombia desde México COLPAZ
• Partido Comunes

The Netherlands

• Citizen Diplomacy
• Here We Draw The Line

Panama

• SOVIC-PANAMÁ

Switzerland

• Aidhes

Venezuela

• Asociación Civil Latinoamericana de Migrantes

II.         PERSONS

Germany

1. Alexandra Bisbicus
2. Alexandra Koball
3. Bodo von Borries
4. Carlos Ossa
5. Diana Figueroa Gutiérrez
6. Natalia González Peña
7. Nidia Estella Aldana García
8. Pablo Pérez
9. Ricardo Cárdenas
10. Saúl Lozano

Belgium

1. Andres  ALVAREZ
2. Angel Alvarez
3. Angela Ardila
4. Carmen Garcia
5. Constanza Elejalde
6. Eduardo Arias
7. Estelle Goyens
8. Fabiola Taborda Candelo
9. Francoise Visee
10. Gloria Lucía Pérez Casas
11. Goyens Morgane
12. Grégory d’Hallewin
13. Henry Eduardo Sánchez Rincón
14. Iván Salazar
15. Jhon Velasquez Villa
16. Juan Felipe Alvarez
17. López Herrera Alba Lucero
18. Marie Caraj
19. Milena Tobón
20. Patricia Parga-Vega
21. Perez Buitrago Heidy Andrea
22. Sandra Galvan
23. Veronique Martin
24. Véronique Vincent
25. Zoraida Hernández

Canada

• Ángela Ramírez Aramburo
• Catalina Mendoza
• José Laureano Gil
• Mohamed Anis Oueslati

Chile

• Diana Pareja
• Eduardo Ruy-Pérez
• Patricia Castillo

Colombia

• Ada Luz Aramburo E.
• Aída Julieta Quiñones Torres
• Alejandra Santos
• Alejandro Quiceno
• Alexandra Viteri
• Alvaro Martínez De La Vega
• Álvaro Sanchez
• Ángela Aramburo
• Ángela Rojas
• Ángela Toro Mejia
• Angie Bermúdez
• Clara Restrepo
• Claudia Cañizares
• Claudia Tamayo
• Daniel Forero Quintanilla
• Danny Cediel
• Edgar Ricardo Torres
• Esperanza Sánchez
• Esteban Cancelado Gomez
• Fernando Sánchez Pérez
• Fredy Trujillo Rodriguez
• Gloria Bonilla
• Gloria Marina Marín Cadena
• Henry Cetina Avellaneda
• Jaime Torres Ortiz
• Javier vidal
• Juan Antonio Cárdenas
• Leidy Cruz
• Lena Tirado Persson
• Liliana Santander
• lina Tatiana Villarraga
• Luis Carlos Martínez
• luz Amparo Palacios
• Luz Mary Zuluaga Salazar
• Luz Myriam Díaz Muñoz
• Margarita María Torres López
• Maria Dinelly Ramirez Martinez
• Maria Inmaculada Aragon Marina
• Maritze Trigos Torres
• Mauricio Betancourt Garcia
• Miguel Niño Sandoval
• Nancy Merchán Cáceres
• Nina Andrea Martinez Rivera
• Rafael Alberto Valencia Ibáñez
• Ramiro Aya
• Raquel Sierra
• Raquel Sierra
• Rodrigo Martinez
• Rosa Helena Mahecha Cárdenas
• Ruth Mery Aramburo Echeverry
• Santiago Pérez
• Sebastián Martínez Rivera

Argentina

• Jessica Paola Vargas Guzmán

Spain

• Alba Teresa Higuera Buitrago
• Alejandro Riva Collada
• Alejandro Rodriguez
• Àlex Agulló i Guerra
• Alicia Moreno Munilla
• Alonso Morales Salinas
• Ana M. Cano
• Ana Vicente Moreno
• Anabel Torres Restrepo
• Andrés Redondo
• Ángela Herrero
• Ángeles Lesta Ramallo
• Antonio Saez Martin
• Armando Valbuena Pallares
• Assumpcio Boix
• Carlos Gimenez Romero
• Carmen Mínguez Márquez
• Carmen Serrano
• DANIEL ÁLVAREZ MENÉNDEZ
• Daniela González Torres
• David Dene
• Diana Patricia Gamboa Puerta
• Dulfary Salamanca
• Edith Scandro
• Elena Boschiero
• Emilio Rodriguez
• Esperanza Camarasa de los Angeles
• Francesca Marí Pérez
• Francisco Javier Franco Miguel
• Francisco Palacios Romeo
• Ignacio Barroso
• Irene Saavedra Valero
• Isabel Cano
• Isabel González
• Isabel Sáez Encinar
• Ivan Forero Robayo
• Jaime Zambrano Martínez
• Janine Sánchez
• Javier Rodríguez
• Jesús de la Roza
• Jorge Fernández Iglesias
• José Manuel González
• José María Navarro
• Juan Castillo
• Juan Matutano Cuenca
• Julián García Valencia
• Karmen Núñez Chicharro
• Laura Conde
• Leonardo Landa Rivera
• Liliana del pilar Londoño Gil
• Lina Pérez
• Luis Angel Montealegre Polania
• Luis Fernando Llamedo
• Luz Garcia
• Luz Marina Gil Vanegas
• Luz Mery Forero Hernández
• M. Antonia Silgp Martinez
• M. Graciela Sainz
• Manuel Ruíz
• Marcelino Echeverri
• Margarita Trasancos Bimendi
• Mari Angeles Vargas
• María Dolores Poblador
• María José Cordero Sánchez
• María Paz Suárez
• María Teresa Savall
• Marisol Boyacá
• Marta Acuña Torres
• Martha Echeverry Villegas
• Miguel aparicio
• Natalia Munevar
• Nelly Villegas
• Olga JUNCA JIMENEZ
• Pablo Simón Romero Casado
• Pedro Tostado Sánchez
• Reyes Tinajas
• Roberto Martínez
• Rosa Prieto
• Sandra Martín
• Soledad Ruiz
• Sonia Espallargas Val
• Valentín Brugos Salas
• Venancio Andreu
• Víctor Manuel Pelegrino
• Chepe Avarenga

France

1. Alberto Chavarro Buriticá
2. Amanda Granados
3. Berrio luz
4. Clara alvarez
5. Esperanza AGIILAR
6. Fovet Marie France
7. Gabriel Roisman
8. GARCÍA Diana
9. Gauthier Herrera
10. Humberto Gonzalez
11. Lyda Villegas
12. Myriam Ramírez
13. Sol SCHLENKER
14. Jérôme CATTAI
15. Liset Diaz
16. Maria Mercedes Avella Labbé
17. Vicky Donneys
18. Diana Herrera

Greece

1. Alvaro Perry
2. Maria Cepeda Castro

Guatemala

• Rafael Rosam
• Danna smith riveros roa

United Kingdom

• Claudia Rodriguez
• Mary Erazo Bastidas
• Beatriz Quirós
• Fdez Comins, M. Cristina
• Claudia Serna
• Janeth Panesso Medina
• Martha Torres Fajardo
• Myriam Ojeda
• Sandra Ramírez
• Carlos Ossa
• Natalia González Peña

Italy

• Beatriz Montoya
• Eduardo Ceballos
• Elisa Gardelli
• MARIA GARAU
• Ruby Amparo Gomez
• Stella Malagon

Malta

• Alvaro Acevedo

México

• Nilsa cielo mora palomino
• Anton Castro Rivera
• Lina Berrio

The Netherlands

• Angelica Avendaño
• Carolina Linares
• César Alzate
• Diego Hernández
• DRISS
• Johan Fabian Calixto Zarate
• Johana Muñoz Galvis
• Juliana Brugman
• Laura Colom
• Marco Antonio Sánchez Ramírez
• Marlin Lozano Gamboa
• Milton Puertas
• Nicolás Martínez
• OA García García
• Philippe McIntyre
• Sandra Piedrahita Sánchez
• Tais Triviño Londoño
• Yvonne van As

Portugal

• Katherine Blaschke

Sweden

• Imelda Daza Cotes

Switzerland

• Blanca Cecilia Sánchez Pérez
• Carlos Angulo
• Fernando Gutiérrez
• Nohra Muñoz Macias

United States

• Bonifacio Londoño
• Patricia rivera rueda
• Ramiro Antonio Sandoval
• Rosalba Patiño
• Víctor Uribe

Venezuela

• Gilberto Torres Martínez