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<p>I share the Hon Member's concern regarding the implementation of the Peace Accords
between the Colombian Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
The UK continues to support the peace process, contributing over £40 million through
the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund since 2015 to projects that are bringing
sustainable peace to the country. We have expressed concern to the Colombian Government
over delays to the transitional justice system, which is a critical part of the peace
process.</p><p>I share also the Hon Member's concern about the ongoing killings and
threats by armed criminal groups in Colombia, a subject we raised in January at the
UN Security Council in New York and in March at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
At the Universal Periodic Review of Human Rights in May 2018, Colombia accepted the
UK's recommendations to improve protection of human rights defenders. The UN Verification
Mission's mandate acknowledges the importance of human rights, and the mission cooperates
closely with the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights.</p><p>The Human
Rights programmes led and funded by the British Embassy in Bogotá make a real difference
to the lives of many human rights defenders, social leaders and, in particular, victims
of sexual violence in conflict. We continue to work with civil society groups in the
UK and Colombia to bring individual cases to the attention of the Colombian authorities,
including the two specific cases cited in Early Day Motion 2232.</p><p>We condemned
the bombing of a police academy in Bogotá on 17 January by the National Liberation
Army (ELN), which claimed 20 innocent lives and caused the breakdown of peace talks.
We urge an end to violence to allow productive negotiations to resume.</p>
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