The European Parliament demands Colombia improves the condition for human
rights workers in the country and wants “real change” in government
policies that affect human rights.
Chairman of the Human Rigts sub commission of the EP and parliamentarian for the Green Party, Hélène Flautre, called on the EU to act more “boldly and aggressively” when it comes to the protection of Colombian citizens.
Flautre wants the European Commission, the executive branch of the union, to use the trade negotiations with Colombia as a tool to pressure the Colombian government on the improvement of the situation of human rights workers in the country.
According to the member of parliament, Colombia has a “serious human rights crisis” which especially is “critical” for those that live in the rural areas, those confronted with guerrillas, the displaced and those that “express a critical voice concerning official policies.”
“Amid the ongoing attacks on civilians by guerrillas and paramilitary groups, the apparent improvement of some indicators of security can not hide an increase in human rights violantions committed directly by State officials,” Flautre said, saying the Colombian State is guilty of torture, forced disappearance, arbitrary detention and extrajudicial executions.
According to the parliamentarian, Colombian human rights workers also lack security guarantees.