• 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.

  • A home in the rural area of Municipality San Carlos Antioquia abandoned by persons displaced by violence, with graffiti of a woman’s body left by armed groups.
    © 2011 Jesús Abad Colorado L.
    Colombia: Obstacles to Care for Abused, Displaced Women
    Colombia’s laws on violence against women are not adequately protecting victims displaced by the armed conflict. Approximately two million internally displaced women and girls face high rates of rape and domestic violence. Daunting obstacles impede displaced victims’ access to healthcare, justice, and protection services.
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Colombia

  • A year of progress in eliminating violence against women
    Nov 24, 2012
    On November 25 every year, a grim accounting takes place: the world takes stock of violence against women, the toll it takes, and progress toward eliminating it. The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women has been commemorated on November 25 for more than three decades. It’s a day each year when my colleagues and I focus on the courageous women we have met, the injustices they’ve suffered, and the hope they inspire.
  • Colombia: Obstacles to Care for Abused, Displaced Women
    Nov 14, 2012
    Colombia’s laws on violence against women are not adequately protecting victims displaced by the armed conflict. Approximately two million internally displaced women and girls face high rates of rape and domestic violence. Daunting obstacles impede displaced victims’ access to healthcare, justice, and protection services.
  • Colombia: Letter to President Santos Criticizing the Expansion of Military Jurisdiction
    Oct 25, 2012
  • Colombia: Make Victims’ Rights Central to Peace Talks
    Oct 16, 2012

    Colombia will only achieve sustainable peace by protecting victims’ right to justice, Human Rights Watch said today in advance of peace talks between the Colombian government and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrillas. The talks will begin in Oslo on October 17, 2012.

  • Colombia: Magistrate’s Resignation a Loss for Justice
    Sep 6, 2012
    The announced resignation of the auxiliary Supreme Court magistrate Iván Velásquez represents a major loss for Colombia’s justice system, Human Rights Watch said today. Velásquez’s resignation, effective September 30, 2012, followed the sudden decision by the criminal chamber of the Supreme Court to remove him as coordinator of investigations into ties between right-wing paramilitary groups and members of Congress, known as the “parapolitics” investigations.
  • Deadly Aid
    Aug 6, 2012
    When Colombian paramilitary leader Carlos Mario Jimenez, known as "Macaco," tried to reduce his expected prison time in 2008 by turning over his ill-gotten gains to prosecutors, he included on his property list the assets of a major palm oil cooperative. The revelation came as little surprise: The drug-running militias had famously displaced thousands of small farmers across the country through years of massacres, killings, torture and threats, and there had long been rumors that their proxies were developing palm oil projects on the stolen land. Now it was clear that the suspicions were correct.
  • The Future Women Want
    Jun 19, 2012
    Beatriz understands perfectly that her access to reproductive health care is intimately tied to the economic well-being of her household. Unfortunately, this simple truth is something that some world leaders gathering in Rio this week seem to have trouble grasping.
  • Colombia: Fix Flaws in Transitional Justice Bill
    Jun 12, 2012

    On Wednesday, June 13, 2012, Colombia’s Senate will hold the eighth and final congressional debate of the “Legal Framework for Peace” bill. While some positive changes were introduced to the bill on June 4, during its seventh congressional debate, they did not correct several of the proposal’s fatal flaws. This Wednesday’s debate will thus be Congress’ last opportunity to modify the proposed constitutional amendment so that it complies with Colombia’s obligations under international law and protects—rather than denies—victims’ basic rights. 

  • Colombia: Amend “Legal Framework for Peace” Bill
    May 31, 2012
    On Friday, June 1, 2012, Colombian Senator Roy Barreras will meet in Washington D.C. with José Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch. Sen. Barreras requested the meeting in order to discuss the “Legal Framework for Peace” bill, a proposed constitutional amendment that he is sponsoring in the Senate. Human Rights Watch welcomes the opportunity to propose key modifications to the bill that would allow Colombia to pursue peace efforts without violating the basic rights of victims of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
  • 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.
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