A/HRC/24/6 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007, held its sixteenth session from 22 April to 3 May 2013. The review of Colombia was held at the 4th meeting on 23 April 2013. The delegation of Colombia was headed by Vice-President Angelino Garzón. At its 10th meeting, held on 26 April 2013, the Working Group adopted the report on Colombia. 2. On 14 January 2013, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Colombia: Ecuador, Gabon and India. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to resolution 16/21, the following documents were issued for the review of Colombia: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/16/COL/1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/16/COL/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/16/COL/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Liechtenstein, Mexico, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Colombia through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the universal periodic review (UPR). I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. The Vice-President of Colombia began his presentation by noting that the Government attended the second UPR review to report on the follow-up to the commitments made and recommendations received in December 2008. In response to recommendations regarding peace, the Government recognized the existence of an internal armed conflict and promoted the adoption of the Victims and Land Restitution Law. With the help of Norway and Cuba and the accompaniment of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and Chile, President Santos had initiated a dialogue with representatives of the guerrilla army of the FARC [Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People’s Army]. The Government had the will to pursue dialogue; however, a will on the part of the FARC was also necessary. 6. The Government respected and protected the work of human rights defenders, including trade union leaders, as a State policy. The mechanisms of protection of human rights defenders, trade union leaders, victims of the armed conflict, communities of African descent, indigenous peoples, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community and women had improved. 7. At the same time, the delegation recognized that there were still human rights challenges to overcome, such as lack of social equality, impunity, prison overcrowding, the need for greater protection for some human rights defenders and the signature of a peace agreement. 3