PBI-Colombia highlights lack of adequate progress in the investigations into state violence during the national strike

On June 21, PBI-Colombia tweeted:

“#HRC50 Human Rights Council @UN_HRC @pbigeneva before the Office of the Special Rapporteur #ProtestaSocial: No progress is being made on investigations into abuses committed by state actors #ParoNacional2021 increase in prosecutions of young people and attacks against those who represent them such as @nydia_erika @CSPP_”

On June 20, Kim-Mai Vu of Peace Brigades International presented an Oral Statement during the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association Clement Voule at the United Nations Human Rights Council session in Geneva, Switzerland.

Vu stated:

“In Colombia, while the investigations into the abuses perpetrated by state and para-state actors in the context of the National Strike (accused of human rights violations during the protests, including homicides, sexual violence, eye injuries and forced disappearances) lack adequate progress, the prosecutions of young protesters from the “front lines” are increasing. Likewise, threats and aggressions against those who represent them persist, such as the recent very serious case of a break-in and theft of information against the organisation of victims of forced disappearances – Nydia Erika Bautista Foundation (FNEB) and the threats in recent months against members of the Committee in Solidarity with Political Prisoners (CSPP).”

The video of Vu’s presentation can be seen here (starting at 08:59).

Canada on Colombian police violence

On May 9, 2021, the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs stated: “We welcome the Government of Colombia’s commitment to fully investigate and hold accountable those who may be guilty of violating human rights during these events.”

Then on July 14, 2021, the Minister “called on Colombia to keep its commitment to fully investigate and hold anyone who has violated human rights to account for their actions.”

On May 16 of this year, Canadian Ambassador Marianick Tremblay met with victims of police violence in Cali along with the Association for Research and Social Action (NOMADESC) and PBI-Colombia.

At that time, NOMADESC tweeted: “Ambassador of @CanadaColombia meets with @nomadesc relatives and victims of the 2021 national strike. They show the responsibility of the Colombian State and impunity in atrocious acts. They request #police reform, human rights monitoring and no funding to the Public Force.”

On June 19, election night in Colombia, the mother of Dilan Cruz was welcomed onto the stage with Gustavo Petro and Francia Marquez.

Holding a framed photo of her son who was killed by Colombian police on November 25, 2019, Jenny Alejandra Medina said: “On behalf of my son Dilan, who was one more victim of this country, on behalf of all the victims, of the “false positives” — Nicolás Neira, Yuri Neira, Diego Felipe Becerra — and on behalf of all those victims of the government and previous ones, I raise my voice on behalf of my son to demand justice.”