Human Rights Defenders in Colombia
This post was written by WOLA intern Ursela Groat The 18th of September marked the end of a twelve day fact-finding mission to Colombia by Margaret Sekaggya, the UNHCR Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders. In her statement on the 18th of September, Ms. Sekaggya applauded the Colombian Government and High Commissioner on Human Rights for the significant overall improvement of the situation in the country since 2002, noting that "respect for the right to life and the exercise of fundamental freedoms for Colombian citizens have improved." But Ms. Sekaggya also had several criticisms for the government about what she called the "climate of fear within the human rights defenders' community" that still exists in Colombia today. She noted a "pattern of harassment and persecution against human rights defenders, and their families" that includes threats and incidences of murder, torture, disappearance, arbitrary arrest and detainment, illegal surveillance, exile, and stigmatization and branding of defenders. These violations are allegedly attributed to guerrilla and paramilitary groups, in addition to police and security forces, and government officials. More troubling are her allegations that these threats and incidents are not being taken seriously when reported to police forces, creating a climate of impunity that negatively impacts the work of human rights activists. The Rapporteur argues that these incidents and the lack of official response "create a climate of fear" among human rights defenders that contributes to their insecurity and impedes their ability to work in the country. Ms. Sekaggya will present her full report to the UN Human Rights Council in March of 2010.