A/HRC/10/82
Page 11
32.
The Netherlands stated that almost all violations of human rights and international
humanitarian law were due to the ongoing armed conflict. It felt that the Government takes its
human rights obligations seriously and commended it for a number of past achievements in this
regard. Expressing concern about the emergence of new illegal armed groups and about the
changes in strategy of some old ones, such as FARC, engaging mainly or only in criminal
activities, particularly their use of anti-personnel mines, it asked about the Government’s policy
of curbing the influence of such groups on the civilian population. Noting substantial
improvements in fighting impunity in the context of national reconciliation, it asked for
elaboration of indicators on the fight against impunity on a basic level, such as in the numbers of
accusations, investigations, trials and convictions. Expressing its shock at the recent news of the
killing of innocent young men by security forces and who were said to be guerrilla fighters and
presented as a success in the fight against the guerrilla, the Netherlands was impressed with the
extent of the initial measures taken by the Government, such as the dismissal of many officers. It
recommended that Colombia (a) continue the investigation and prosecution of the persons
responsible for these crimes; and that the Government (b) continue a constructive dialogue with
human rights non-governmental organizations, especially given the current polarization between
the two.
33.
Austria noted that, while recruitment of children by the armed forces is prohibited by
law, the phenomenon still exists, in particular in rural communities, with indigenous children.
Austria asked about reasons for the difficulties in implementing Government policies and about
measures designed to improve the situation, and for information on the work of the Intersectorial Commission. Austria recommended that Colombia (a) take all necessary steps to ensure
the recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration of child soldiers and to address the underlying
exclusion and marginality that makes rural children particularly vulnerable to recruitment by
armed groups; and(b) increase efforts to address the question of sexual violence of children,
particularly in rural areas and to develop effective data collection with regard to sexual and
physical abuse of children to ensure that adequate reports, policing and juridical measures are in
place. Concerned about the high number of internally displaced persons and lack of protection
for the physical safety of their leaders, Austria welcomed efforts to tackle the problem and the
constructive role of the Constitutional Court, but recommended that Colombia (c) increase
efforts to end impunity of those responsible for forced displacement, and intensify security
measures for communities of internally displaced persons, particularly by protecting their
property rights. Austria recommended that (d) recommendations of the OHCHR field office be
fully implemented as a means to contribute to the improvement of the human rights situation on
the ground.
34.
Albania stated that the human rights situation cannot be considered separately from the
great historical difficulties Colombia has had to face. It congratulated Colombia on the progress
made since 2002 but stated that the real difficulties do not mean the State is not responsible for
protecting its citizens and are no justification for State forces acting outside the law, against the
principles of the State’s modern Constitution. It recommended that Colombia (a) do everything
possible, in the territories under its jurisdiction, to protect human rights defenders, trade unions
workers and journalists, and take necessary political measures to protect them and respect their
human rights.
35.
Denmark noted that the situation is highly complex and security concerns are significant.
It expressed concerns about the security situation for indigenous peoples, given that an alarming
percentage has been killed in recent years. Despite legislation on consultations with indigenous
peoples concerning laws and distribution and use of indigenous land, in practice consultation
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