In honor of Human Rights Day, human rights groups in Colombia on Tuesday extended a “red carpet” in front of the office of the country’s Inspector General Alejandro Ordoñez, criticizing his strident opposition to gay rights and liberal legislation.
MORE: Colombia’s Inspector General may go to highest court to annul first gay marriage
Bogota mayor Gustavo Petro has also filed a lawsuit in the Inter-American Court of Human Rights against the Inspector General for allegedly violating his human rights. Ordoñez has dismissed the mayor from office over a botched transfer to a public city trash service.
MORE: Colombia’s Inspector General dismisses Bogota mayor over trash collecting scandal
In other events for the day, UN representatives told Colombia Reports that a letter representing thousands of Colombia human rights defenders outlining policy recommendations for the next 20 years will be presented to President Juan Manuel Santos on Tuesday as well.
The letter titled “From violence to society of rights: Proposal for policy of human rights, 2014-2034” was formed following input of 8.5 thousand human rights organizations and 18 thousand individuals.
As described on the United Nation’s website, Human Rights Day was proclaimed a holiday by the UN General Assembly in 1950, “to bring to the attention ‘of the peoples of the world’ the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as the common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations.”
Sources
- Extenderán alfombra roja al Procurador como protesta a sus decisiones (el Colombiano)
- 2013 Theme: 20 Years Working for Your Rights (UN website)