CAFOD welcomes revised Colombia peace deal - with reservations

Whilst the signing of a new peace deal to end Colombia's armed conflict is welcome, the country must urgently address the rise in killings of human rights defenders, says aid agency CAFOD.

On 24 November 2016 the Colombian Government and largest guerrilla group, the FARC, signed a revised peace deal, which has been submitted to Congress for approval. The previous deal was rejected in a popular vote on 2 October.

CAFOD's Head of Region for Latin America, Clare Dixon, said: "We welcome the news that the Colombian Government and FARC have continued their efforts to seek peace, but Colombia remains one of the most dangerous places in the world to defend the rights of others. The situation is getting worse, with more killings than last year and more than 30 human rights defenders being killed since the bilateral ceasefire agreement in June 2016.

"The killings of human rights defenders and political activists, and the failure of authorities to bring their perpetrators to justice, could threaten the peace process. We urge the international community to show solidarity with the Colombian people in their quest for peace by speaking out about these killings.

"It is important to remember that there are also other armed actors involved in the conflict, including the second largest guerrilla group, the ELN, and right-wing paramilitaries, who are not part of the peace process. Paramilitary groups are responsible for the majority of killings of human rights defenders, but are not being brought to justice for their crimes."

Johana Rocha, co-director of CAFOD's partner Tierra Digna, said: "Trade and investment was a major focus of the recent State visit to the UK by the Colombian President, Juan Manuel Santos, and will play a key role in a new 'peaceful' Colombia. But increased economic activity, while welcome, carries dangers, particularly for the communities who have been most affected by over 50 years of conflict - indigenous, Afro-Colombian and peasant-farmer communities in rural areas.

"The Colombian Government is promoting mining as one of the main engines of economic growth in the country, but so far the communities affected have seen little economic benefit. British companies, already major investors in Colombia's oil and mineral wealth, must make sure they are investing responsibly, respecting human rights."

In the past half-century, the armed conflict has killed almost 268,000 people in Colombia. More than 46,500 are missing, over seven million have been displaced, and thousands have suffered sexual violence.