Canadian Members of Parliament to receive briefing on the current situation in Colombia
Photo by Radio-Canada.
The Canadian House of Commons Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (SDIR) will be briefed on the current situation in Colombia tonight at 7:30 pm EDT.
It can be watched live on ParlVU by clicking here.
Among the concerns being raised at this time:
1- Violence against the National Strike
The Colombian non-governmental organizations Temblores and Indepaz reported yesterday that there have been at least 1,876 recorded cases of violence by the Public Force (police and military) against the national strike over the past 11 days. That includes 963 arbitrary arrests and 356 violent interventions in the context of peaceful protests.
2- The right to peaceful protest
This statement from the Canadian Labour Congress highlights: “Canadian unions condemn this violence and support the legitimate demands of the Colombian people for: the dismantling of the Colombian national police riot control unit (known by its Spanish acronym ESMAD); and guarantees for the right of peaceful protest.”
3- The ESMAD riot police
On October 30, 2017, the Canadian Press reported on a “bilateral police initiative” between Canada and Colombia. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated: “This effort will support post-conflict policing efforts in Colombia and will see Canadian police providing training, capacity building and strategic advice to our Colombian friends.” There are concerns about this given the police violence against peaceful protests.
4- Military exports to Colombia
Canada has exported military goods to Colombia in the following amounts: $310,576 (2018), $114,688 (2017), $215,066 (2016), $522,203 (2015) and $44,754,393 (2014). Canadian exports to Colombia have included Light Armoured Vehicles (LAVs) to the army and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to the national police. There are concerns about the use of these vehicles in relation to the national strike.
5- Fracking and environmental defenders
One of the demands that the national strike is making is an end to the fracking pilot projects that have been authorized in Colombia. An Oil Barometer poll found that 73 per cent of Colombians are opposed to fracking. There are concerns that fracking puts at risk the precarious peace process and further endangers already at-risk environmental defenders. Colombia is the most dangerous country in the world for environmental defenders. Last year, 177 human rights defenders were killed in Colombia.
To watch the briefing on ParlVU, click here.
For more, please see the statements by:
Public Service Alliance of Canada
International civil society statement endorsed by Oxfam Colombia
The most recently released numbers:
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