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<p>We are concerned by the increase in violence towards human rights defenders (HRDs)
in Colombia. Reports from the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Somos Defensores
indicate that 63 HRDs were killed in 2015, a 13 per cent increase from 2014. The Minister
of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for East
Devon (Mr Swire), raised this issue during his meeting with President Santos on 12
May. During his visit to Colombia in April, the Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend
the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), also raised human rights concerns
with the Colombian Deputy Foreign Minister, Patti Londoño-Jaramillo.</p><p> </p><p>Ensuring
protection and support for HRDs, including leaders of land restitution claims, is
a priority area for our Embassy in Bogotá. As well as monitoring specific cases, the
UK raises our concerns with the Colombian government at every possible opportunity.
Our Ambassador to Colombia recently joined an international community initiative called
“Ambassadors with Defenders” that aims to raise awareness of the situation of HRDs
and follow up on specific cases. Earlier this year, the Ambassador accompanied the
Colombian Minister of Interior to a regional human rights roundtable, where the role
of local authorities in taking effective action on HRD cases was discussed. The UK
was the only member of the international community invited to this event.</p><p> </p><p>With
regards to increased protection, on 26 April, President Santos announced the creation
of a high level group in charge of investigating threats and killings against HRDs.
He invited human rights organisations to appoint five representatives to participate
in this group. The Attorney General’s Office has prioritised the investigations of
these cases.</p>
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