Thank you, Mr Vice-President.
We commend Colombia’s continued collaboration with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and welcome today’s update.
The human rights situation in Colombia remains challenging, as recognised by the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances on its visit last December, and the visit of the UN Independent Expert on sexual orientation and gender identity in May.
We are concerned at the increase in children being recruited by criminal groups to participate in the armed conflict. Moreover, violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity remains widespread. Human rights defenders, journalists, social and community leaders, as well as LGBT+ communities remain some of the most vulnerable.
For the UK, the 2016 Peace Agreement is crucial to securing lasting peace in Colombia. Its implementation requires a whole of society approach. We continue to urge the Colombian government, civil society and UN agencies to work together on this important issue, particularly through technical cooperation and capacity-building.
We continue to call on the international community to strengthen its assistance to Colombian-led efforts to secure lasting peace, including through supporting an effective response to the recommendations of the Commission for the Clarification of Truth, Coexistence and Non-Repetition.
Thank you.
