• Human Rights in Colombia

    Colombia’s internal armed conflict leads to serious abuses by guerrillas and successor groups to paramilitaries -- including massacres, forced displacement, sexual violence and use of child soldiers -- and to violations by the military. Armed actors threaten or attack human rights defenders, journalists, community leaders, trade unionists, and victims seeking justice and land restitution. The government of President Juan Manuel Santos passed a law to return millions of acres of land to displaced persons. But government-supported constitutional reform proposals could shield abusers by expanding the role of military courts and allowing amnesties.

  • Colombia: Investigate Bomb Attacks in Southwest
    The Colombian government should ensure prompt, thorough, and impartial investigations into two bomb attacks against police stations in southwestern Colombia, which are reported to have killed at least 10 civilians and wounded more than 65.
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Colombia

  • Colombia: Response to Government Regarding Transitional Justice Bill
    May 8, 2012
    I am writing in response to your May 3 letter regarding our criticisms of the proposed constitutional amendment known as the “Legal Framework for Peace.” I would like to take this opportunity to address the main points in your letter and explain, once again, why it is so crucially important that President Juan Manuel Santos and his coalition in Congress correct the bill’s fundamental flaws.
  • Colombia: Correct Serious Flaws in Transitional Justice Bill
    May 1, 2012
    I am writing to express my serious concerns with the proposed constitutional amendment known as the “Legal Framework for Peace.” The apparent aim of the bill, which has passed five of eight required Congressional debates, is to facilitate peace agreements with irregular armed groups such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). However, as currently drafted, it would open the door to impunity for egregious human rights abuses by guerrillas, paramilitaries, and the military.
  • Putting Women on the Agenda in Cartagena
    Apr 13, 2012
    Happening every three years, the Summit of the Americas brings together the heads-of-state of the region to talk about pressing concerns. Over the weekend in Cartagena, Colombia, the theme will be “Connecting the Americas: Partners for Prosperity,” but some of the liveliest debates are likely to focus on discussions around decriminalization of personal drug use.
  • Child soldiers: A worldwide scourge
    Mar 23, 2012
    The use of child soldiers extends far beyond Central and West Africa. Today, child soldiers are fighting in at least 14 countries, including Colombia, Myanmar (also known as Burma) and Afghanistan. In most of these cases, there have been no arrest warrants, no trials and no convictions for those responsible.
  • Colombia: Letter to President Santos on Military Jurisdiction
    Feb 9, 2012

    I am writing once again to make a final appeal to you to withdraw your government’s proposed amendment of article 221 of the Colombian constitution, which would give the military justice system initial control over investigations of abuses by the Colombian security forces. In a previous letter, which we sent to you on December 12, 2011, I provided a detailed explanation of why we oppose the proposed constitutional amendment. I subsequently received a letter from your Minister of Justice, Juan Carlos Esguerra, which he claimed would address our “unfounded” concerns. In light of the minister’s response, I would like to take this opportunity to clarify our position.

  • Colombia: Investigate Bomb Attacks in Southwest
    Feb 3, 2012
    The Colombian government should ensure prompt, thorough, and impartial investigations into two bomb attacks against police stations in southwestern Colombia, which are reported to have killed at least 10 civilians and wounded more than 65.
  • Colombia: Shelve Proposed Expansion of Military Jurisdiction
    Dec 12, 2011
    I am writing to express my deep concern with the “justice system reform” bill your administration is currently promoting that would expand the scope of military jurisdiction over cases of abuses by Colombian security forces. Article 11 of the bill would amend the constitution to provide that all acts committed by active security force members during operations are presumed to be “related to service,” and therefore subject to military jurisdiction. This article—which would result in cases of human rights violations by security forces being handled by the military justice system—directly violates jurisprudence by Colombia’s high courts and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, as well the views espoused by other relevant international human rights bodies.
  • Colombia: FARC’s Killing of Captives a War Crime
    Nov 28, 2011
    The killing of four captive members of the Colombian security forces by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) shows the guerrilla group’s blatant disregard for human life and the laws of war.
  • Colombia: Ensure Justice for Anti-Union Violence
    Oct 3, 2011

    I am writing to follow up on the very constructive meeting we had in Bogotá this June regarding the problem of impunity for anti-union violence in Colombia. We are encouraged by the steps the Attorney General’s Office is currently taking under your leadership to address this longstanding problem. Yet we also believe further measures are needed to ensure that your efforts succeed and the era of unchecked violence against trade unionists in Colombia is finally overcome.

  • Colombia: Investigate Spate of Killings by Armed Groups
    Jul 8, 2011
    The massacre of seven people in southern Colombia, allegedly by Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia, FARC) guerrillas, underscores the ruthless tactics employed by the country’s armed groups. The Colombian government should ensure prompt and thorough investigations of these killings, on July 2, 2011, as well as recent killings of members of indigenous communities in northern Colombia, allegedly by successor groups to paramilitaries.
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