The United Kingdom’s annual report on worldwide human rights, released on Wednesday, criticizes Colombia as one of 22 nations with a troubling record on the subject.
The report was presented in London by UK foreign minister David Miliband, and singled out Colombia for its problems related to “exclusion, marginalization, poverty, inequality, land ownership, impunity, and lack of access to justice.”
A more “cooperative mood” was noted by the report on the part of the Colombian government, which was complimented for its invitation of international observers from the United Nations to measure the country’s progress on human rights.
Nevertheless, the British government said that it remained worried about the effects of illegal armed groups within the country, especially the relatively recent return of supposedly disarmed paramilitary groups.
The new report did not prevent the signing of an agreement between the two countries on Wednesday, which aims to guarantee the reciprocal protection of investments made by citizens of both nations.
Under the new agreement, allegations of violated contracts between investors in the two countries can be submitted to a standardized system of international arbitration.
Both governments are hoping that the new agreement will help spur further investment between the two nations.
