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<p>We are concerned by the increasing number of reported killings of civil society
figures and activists in Colombia. Since the beginning of 2017, the Foreign and Commonwealth
Office has received reports of at least ten murders where the victims appear to have
been targeted for their role as human rights defenders, or because they are members
of unions or political groups such as <em>Marcha Patriotica, </em>including Hernan
Agames, Yanetin Calvache, Olmeido Pito Garcia, Aldemar Parra Garcia, Emilsen Manyoma,
Joe Javier Rodallega and Juan de la Cruz Mosquera.</p><p>The Prime Minister raised
the issue of the levels of violence against human rights defenders with President
Santos during the State Visit in November. Respect for human rights was also included
in their joint declaration. I and Ministerial colleagues will continue to raise our
human rights concerns with our Colombian counterparts.</p><p>Working together to improve
respect for human rights is a key part of our relationship with the Colombian Government
and civil society. At a practical level, our Ambassador to Colombia is a member of
the group "Ambassadors with Defenders" which promotes the work of human
rights defenders and raises concerns about specific cases with the Colombian Government.
The group will meet the Colombian Attorney-General to discuss the continued murders
against human rights defenders, including those killed in recent weeks. On 19 January,
British Embassy staff in Bogota met Colombian NGO <em>Somos Defensores</em> to discuss
the recent murders. They also took part in a visit to South Bolivar, where local community
leaders have voiced concerns about their security. As a result of this visit, the
Office of the Presidential Advisor on Human rights committed to request the Colombian
Ministry of Defence to provide additional security measures for community leaders.</p><p>The
Colombian Government recognises the threats faced by human rights defenders and acknowledges
the challenges it faces in implementing the peace agreement with the FARC. In December,
the Office of the Presidential Advisor for Human Rights (OHCHR) made a statement which
linked an increase in incidents to areas vacated by the FARC. President Santos also
gave a speech on 22 November in which he said he would work with Governors of affected
areas and the Attorney General to accelerate investigations into murders of human
rights defenders to find those responsible.</p>
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