Roundtable Discussion with WHRDs from Colombia

The PHRG and the Women, Peace and Security APPG were delighted to host two women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) from Colombia on 17 April:  

• Lilibeth Cortés Mora, the Deputy Director of Transitional Justice at the Corporación Sisma Mujer; and,  

• Mildrey Corrales Charry, member of the Coordinación Colombia Europa Estados Unidos (CCEEU), a network of 290 social organisations and HRDs in Colombia. 

Also sharing their insights and making recommendations:  

• Louise Winstanley from ABColombia; and,  

• Christina Challis from PBI UK  

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger, WPS APPG Co-Chair, chaired the roundtable. 

Main points: 

• While the Peace Accord concluded between the Colombian Government and the FARC rebel group in 2016 was a monumental achievement, its full implementation, including of its gender measures, and the continued involvement of women in consolidating ‘Total Peace’ are vital. 

• Two important developments were highlighted:  

  • Macrocase 11, brought under the auspices of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), on behalf of victims of sexual and gender-based violence in the conflict to hold their alleged perpetrators to account;  

  • the drafting of Colombia’s National Action Plan on the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (NAP 1325), following extensive consultation with women across Colombia.   

  • The international community’s support is crucial to take these forward.  

• Colombian WHRDs still face many dangers; the country is one of the world’s deadliest for HRDs, with violence against them by organised criminal groups having increased since the conclusion of the 2016 Accord.  

• Additional individual and collective protection measures are needed. 

• The UK Government’s support for the implementation of the Accord and the prioritisation of Colombia in the UK’s NAP 1325 was duly noted.  

• The UK Government was called on to take further action by:  

  • providing targeted support to victims of sexual violence in conflict seeking justice in Colombia, taking into consideration that investigations and prosecutions must be concluded before the JEP’s mandate expires;  

  • helping to enhance the protection of Colombian HRDs and social leaders, including women; and,  

  • offering advice and funding to the Colombian Government for the launch and implementation of its NAP 1325. 

The PHRG and WPS APPG will take follow-up action in support of Colombian WHRDs, the full implementation of the 2016 Peace Accord, and Colombia’s NAP 1325.

(From the right, Lilibeth Cortés Mora; their translator, Mildrey Corrales Charry, Christina Challis from PBI and Louise Winstanley from ABColombia)

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger, WPS APPG Co-Chair, chaired the roundtable.