That this House expresses its concerns regarding the environmental and health impacts of the Carbones de Cerrejón open-pit coalmine in Colombia and the Antapaccay-Coroccohuayco mine in Espinar in Peru, both owned by British-registered multinational Glencore Plc; notes that eight UN Special Rapporteurs called for a halt to Cerrejón’s mining operations because of health and environmental concerns; highlights the specific concerns of the Colombian Wayuu indigenous peoples and the UN Special Rapporteurs regarding contamination of the air, water and vegetation, irreversible biodiversity loss and damage to the globally important dry forest ecosystem; expresses its concern regarding documented child malnutrition in communities near the Cerrejón mine; further highlights indigenous peoples’ concerns regarding the beyond permissible levels of heavy metals in Espinar; highlights reports that the information needed to comply with informed consent under ILO Convention 169 for the Espinar mine’s expansion is not available to communities; notes that Glencore is suing the Colombian government pursuant to the investor–state dispute settlement mechanism clause within an applicable trade agreement challenging a Colombian High Court decision upholding the fundamental rights of indigenous peoples in relation to the Bruno Stream, Arroyo Bruno; calls on the UK Government to join other governments which do not include an investor state dispute settlement mechanism provision in their trade agreements, thereby preventing companies from suing governments over climate policies; and further calls on the UK to adopt a business, human rights and environment act to protect communities harmed by mining linked to UK companies and their supply chains.

That this House expresses its concerns regarding the environmental and health impacts of the Carbones de Cerrejón open-pit coalmine in Colombia and the Antapaccay-Coroccohuayco mine in Espinar in Peru, both owned by British-registered multinational Glencore Plc; notes that eight UN Special Rapporteurs called for a halt to Cerrejón’s mining operations...

That this House welcomes the planned publication in June of the final report of the Colombia Truth Commission, which seeks to acknowledge violations committed during the internal armed conflict, establish collective responsibilities for such violations and prevent the repetition of cycles of violence, and whose recommendations will need to be fully implemented to consolidate the peace process in that country; commends the Colombia Truth Commission for its work, particularly to amplify the voices of victims and survivors in the country and exiled abroad; notes the importance of conserving the Colombia Truth Commission’s historical archive, including to further peace education and create sites of conscience; recognises that the Colombian Government may need additional support from the international community to counter opposition from powerful vested interests to the implementation of the Report’s recommendations; notes with concern that civil society representatives and community leaders in Colombia are being targeted for their work to advance human rights and the Peace Agreement and are in urgent need of increased protection; urges the Government, as penholder for Colombia at the UN Security Council and a significant financial and political supporter of the Colombia Truth Commission, to help enable the presentation of the Report to the Security Council and the latter’s regular monitoring of follow-up; and further urges the Government to keep Parliament periodically updated on its continued support for the peace process in Colombia and how it is helping to address challenges.

That this House welcomes the planned publication in June of the final report of the Colombia Truth Commission, which seeks to acknowledge violations committed during the internal armed conflict, establish collective responsibilities for such violations and prevent the repetition of cycles of violence, and whose recommendations will need to be...

That this House is concerned to learn that the Colombian Government plans to restart aerial glyphosate fumigations; notes the WHO's declaration that glyphosate is probably carcinogenic to humans; recalls that that in 2015, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos suspended fumigations in favour of more effective strategies which would cause less harm to the environment and public health; is aware that numerous civil society organisations have been trying to block glyphosate use, a call echoed by seven UN Special Rapporteurs; is equally concerned that restarting fumigation would explicitly violate the 2016 landmark Peace Agreement between the Colombian Government and the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP); knows that the agreement specifies fumigation as a last resort that should only be used if the Colombian Government unable to strike deals with local people on crop substitution; believes that the crop substitution programme outlined in that Peace Agreement has been successful in destroying 45,000 hectares of illegal crop; regrets that only 7 per cent of families of the substitution programme have been financially compensated; questions whether aerial glyphosate fumigations would make a material difference to the supply of cocaine; and calls on the Government to make representations to the Colombian Government, urging them to reconsider their decision.

That this House is concerned to learn that the Colombian Government plans to restart aerial glyphosate fumigations; notes the WHO's declaration that glyphosate is probably carcinogenic to humans; recalls that that in 2015, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos suspended fumigations in favour of more effective strategies which would cause less...

That this House is deeply shocked and concerned about reports of significant human rights violations in Colombia and violent repression of nationwide demonstrations by Colombian authorities; understands that protests began on 28 April 2021 in response to a tax bill presented by President Ivan Duque; notes with concern reports that the country’s riot police has responded to protestors with excessive force; is disturbed to learn of the deaths of dozens of people with hundreds more injured in recent unrest; has ongoing concerns about the worrying reports of the use by state authorities of arbitrary detention, acts of torture, sexual violence and forced disappearances; understands that human rights defenders have been harassed and threatened, while union leaders and indigenous activists have been targeted by authorities; calls on the Colombian Government to immediately stop the violent and militarised response to protests and to ensure that human rights, including the right to life, the right to free expression and the right to freedom of peaceful assembly are upheld; and calls on the UK Government to exert all diplomatic pressure to help ensure that the situation in Colombia reaches a peaceful resolution and human rights are upheld.

That this House is deeply shocked and concerned about reports of significant human rights violations in Colombia and violent repression of nationwide demonstrations by Colombian authorities; understands that protests began on 28 April 2021 in response to a tax bill presented by President Ivan Duque; notes with concern reports that...

That this House expresses profound concern on reports of excessive use of force by the Colombian police, against overwhelmingly peaceful social protests as confirmed by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights across Colombia from 28 April 2021, as part of a national strike; believes the right to peaceful protest and freedom of assembly are essential tenets of democracy; condemns serious human rights violations allegedly carried out by the police, including the use of live ammunition resulting in the deaths of over 30 protesters, numerous cases of sexual violence and serious injuries, over 100 people reported disappeared, over 800 arbitrary arrests, and targeted attacks on civil society organisations and human rights defenders, some of whom were trying to monitor the police; also condemns the small minority who infiltrated the peaceful protests and perpetrated violence; notes with alarm the Colombian Government’s order to militarise the cities and urges them instead to enter into a meaningful dialogue with the protest organisers to address their legitimate grievances; calls on the Government to review its training of the Colombian Police, suspend the sale of riot control materials and review all other arms exports to Colombia in light of the current situation; and further calls on the Government as pen holders for the Colombian peace process at the UN Security Council to promote substantive reform of the Colombian security services and full implementation of the Peace Accord.

That this House expresses profound concern on reports of excessive use of force by the Colombian police, against overwhelmingly peaceful social protests as confirmed by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights across Colombia from 28 April 2021, as part of a national strike; believes the right...

That this House is concerned by the intensification of violence in rural areas in Colombia, with 76 massacres and a 65 per cent increase in armed conflict in 2020, and against human rights defenders there, with Colombian defenders representing 50 per cent of the global total killed in 2020, which threaten to undermine the peace process; notes that communities on the Pacific coast of Colombia are experiencing a humanitarian and environmental crisis; further notes that Indigenous Peoples in Alto Baudó and other communities in Choco are increasingly caught in crossfire between illegal armed groups who are expanding their territorial control, forcibly recruiting children, perpetrating sexual violence, using antipersonnel mines and creating an atmosphere of terror; is also disturbed by reports of illegal gold mining in the Rio Quito region involving armed groups, which is exacerbating violence and resulting in biodiversity destruction; is alarmed by the death threat received in February by CAJAR lawyer, Sebastian Felipe Escobar, who spoke to UK Parliamentarians at an on-line event in June 2020, as well as by serious threats directed at other human rights defenders in Colombia; and calls on the Government, further to its responsibility as the penholder on Colombia, to request the UN Security Council to create a Group of Experts with technical expertise on organised crime to examine the impact of the illegal armed groups in Colombia and provide technical advice, in order to strengthen the work of the UN Mission of Verification in Colombia.

That this House is concerned by the intensification of violence in rural areas in Colombia, with 76 massacres and a 65 per cent increase in armed conflict in 2020, and against human rights defenders there, with Colombian defenders representing 50 per cent of the global total killed in 2020, which...

That this House notes with concern the continuing human rights crisis in Colombia and that since 2002, the year of President Uribe's election, more than 500 trade unionists have been assassinated; further notes that the vast majority of abuses are carried out by paramilitary groups that have documented links to the Colombian state security forces, and that the most recent annual report of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Colombia found that extrajudicial executions carried out directly by the armed forces have increased; calls on the Colombian government to implement fully the UN human rights recommendations in line with the policies of Colombian and international human rights organisations such as the TUC-backed Justice for Colombia coalition; and calls on the UK Government to freeze military aid to Colombia until the UN recommendations are implemented.

That this House notes with concern the continuing human rights crisis in Colombia and that since 2002, the year of President Uribe's election, more than 500 trade unionists have been assassinated; further notes that the vast majority of abuses are carried out by paramilitary groups that have documented links to...

That this House notes that, in spite of increased spending by the UK Government on measures to decrease heroin poppy cultivation in Afghanistan from ??31,000 in 2001 to ??20 million in 2005, heroin production has increased from 185 tonnes to a record 131,000 tonnes; believes that the war on Afghan drugs will replicate the anarchy that similar action caused in Colombia; further notes that destroying drug crops in Colombia has not cut production in South America but has created a state of permanent civil war involving three armies, two of which are funded by drug money; asserts that if spending more UK taxpayers' money on this misguided policy succeeds in interrupting the supply of Afghan heroin it will be immediately replaced by increased production from Pakistan, Myanmar and Kazakhstan, leading to bloody chaos in a huge area of Central Asia; and believes that the only practical way to reduce heroin use is by cutting demand.

That this House notes that, in spite of increased spending by the UK Government on measures to decrease heroin poppy cultivation in Afghanistan from ??31,000 in 2001 to ??20 million in 2005, heroin production has increased from 185 tonnes to a record 131,000 tonnes; believes that the war on Afghan...

That this House notes with concern the continuing human rights crisis in Colombia and the increase in assassinations of Colombian trade unionists last year; further notes that the vast majority of abuses are carried out by paramilitary groups that have documented links to the Colombian state security forces and that reports of extrajudicial executions carried out directly by the armed forces increased in 2004; calls on the Colombian Government fully to implement UN human rights recommendations in line with the policies of Colombian and international human rights organisations such as the TUC-backed Justice for Colombia coalition; and calls on the UK Government to freeze military aid to Colombia.

That this House notes with concern the continuing human rights crisis in Colombia and the increase in assassinations of Colombian trade unionists last year; further notes that the vast majority of abuses are carried out by paramilitary groups that have documented links to the Colombian state security forces and that...

That this House notes the work of Peace Brigades International (PBI) in providing observer and accompaniment teams for human rights organisations in Colombia; applauds its efforts to protect the political space of non-violent human rights defenders and to support Colombian initiatives which promote respect for human rights and international humanitarian law; expresses its support for the continuation of this valuable work; congratulates PBI on 10 years of work in Colombia; and urges the Government to assist the project politically and financially so that it can continue to do its life-saving and vital work in the search for peace in Colombia.

That this House notes the work of Peace Brigades International (PBI) in providing observer and accompaniment teams for human rights organisations in Colombia; applauds its efforts to protect the political space of non-violent human rights defenders and to support Colombian initiatives which promote respect for human rights and international humanitarian...

That this House notes with concern the conviction of three members of IRA/Sinn Fein in Colombia for offences involving the training of FARC terrorists in acts of violence to be carried out against the legitimate Government of Colombia; urges that international governmental action should be co-ordinated to see that the Irish Republican terrorists should be extradited back to Colombia; and calls on the Government of the Irish Republic not to harbour or give political asylum to the three convicted IRA/Sinn Fein members under any circumstances, showing co-operation with the US and the UK in the international fight against terrorism.

That this House notes with concern the conviction of three members of IRA/Sinn Fein in Colombia for offences involving the training of FARC terrorists in acts of violence to be carried out against the legitimate Government of Colombia; urges that international governmental action should be co-ordinated to see that the...

That this House notes with concern that Colombia is the most dangerous country in the world in which to be a trade unionist with 184 people killed in 2002 for their trade union activities, more than the rest of the world combined; further notes that the overwhelming majority of abuses against trade unionists are carried out by paramilitary organisations which have documented links to the Colombian state security forces; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to freeze all military and security assistance to Colombia until the bonds between the state and paramilitary forces are severed, in accordance with the policies of Colombia, UK and international human rights organisations and trade unions, such as the TUC-backed Justice for Colombia coalition and development charity War on Want.

That this House notes with concern that Colombia is the most dangerous country in the world in which to be a trade unionist with 184 people killed in 2002 for their trade union activities, more than the rest of the world combined; further notes that the overwhelming majority of abuses...

That this House acknowledges that since Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe Velez came to power on 8th August 2002 and, despite the Prime Minister's meeting with him in July 2002 where he was urged to send British armed forces to protect the investments of BP and other multinational companies, there have been a number of negative changes including an increase in the violent repression of trade unions and social movements, the implementation of a state of internal unrest ruling by decree including the suspension of democratic rights, the establishment of military rule in two zones of rehabilitation and consolidation with thousands detained without warrant and promises to double the size of the army and recruit 100,000 vigilantes and one million informers; notes that he has backed George Bush by granting immunity to US forces and by pushing the free trade area of the Americas; and calls upon the Government to call for the withdrawal of all British government support for Uribe's crackdown and to stop any arms supplies and police, armed forces or private companies co-operating with state repression in Colombia.

That this House acknowledges that since Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe Velez came to power on 8th August 2002 and, despite the Prime Minister's meeting with him in July 2002 where he was urged to send British armed forces to protect the investments of BP and other multinational companies, there have...

That this House congratulates Peace Brigades International on their human rights work in Colombia; expresses its very grave concern that Peace Brigades International volunteers have been told they are targets of paramilitary groups; and urges the Government to do all it can to assist in the protection of Peace Brigades International volunteers in Colombia.

That this House congratulates Peace Brigades International on their human rights work in Colombia; expresses its very grave concern that Peace Brigades International volunteers have been told they are targets of paramilitary groups; and urges the Government to do all it can to assist in the protection of Peace Brigades...

That this House notes with concern that Colombia is the most dangerous country in the world in which to be a trade unionist; notes that 1,336 officials were killed in the last decade on the grounds of their trade union affiliation, 90 were killed last year, and the trade union centre Central Unitaria Trabajadores has seen 3,000 members killed since its inception; further notes the serious danger faced by trade unionists such as Alexander Lopez, President of the Cali Municipal Workers Union, who has had three attempts made on his life for carrying out his representative duties; notes this violence is perpetuated by paramilitary organisations aided sometimes openly by the armed forced and that it forms part of a wider scheme of human rights abuses which have caused misery and impoverishment; believes trade unions to be an essential mechanism through which ordinary people can lift themselves out of poverty and express themselves in a democratic manner; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to make urgent representations to the Colombian Government to more adequately protect trade unionists, to take more effective measures to tackle paramilitary impunity and to ensure that all aid packages towards which the Government contributes do not support the armed forces at the expense of trade unionists.

That this House notes with concern that Colombia is the most dangerous country in the world in which to be a trade unionist; notes that 1,336 officials were killed in the last decade on the grounds of their trade union affiliation, 90 were killed last year, and the trade union...

That this House is concerned about a United States-led campaign to destroy the peace process between Andres Pastrana's government and Colombia's guerrilla movements, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia and the National Liberation Army; notes that this campaign underpins Plan Colombia in its aim to fabricate a myth that guerillas and drugs traffickers are 'one dangerous network' and legitimise an all-out counter-insurgency war; notes that Plan Colombia presents no strategy to combat paramilitaries, almost entirely funded by the drugs trade; notes that paramilitaries, supported by the Army, the Colombian state narcotraffickers and outside interests such as multinational corporations, commit more than 80 per cent. of the human rights violations in Colombia; notes that their atrocities against the civilian population reached unprecedented levels in 2000; fears that the United States in its push for a military solution will waive Plan Colombia's human rights preconditions for military aid to the army for the second time when the Plan is reviewed in February, effectively sanctioning more massacres, displacements, assassinations, torture and disappearances of the unarmed population; believes the military option must be rejected because it will further cripple the country with violence, debt and structural adjustment; and calls for urgent support to be given to peace through dialogue, with pressure put on President Pastrana to uncompromisingly dismantle paramilitarism which gravely undermines Colombia's democratic institutions.

That this House is concerned about a United States-led campaign to destroy the peace process between Andres Pastrana's government and Colombia's guerrilla movements, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia and the National Liberation Army; notes that this campaign underpins Plan Colombia in its aim to fabricate a myth that guerillas...

That this House notes with concern the continuing disappearance of two Colombian human rights defenders, Angel Quintero and Claudia Monsalve, members of ASFADDES (Association of Families of the Detained and Disappeared), Medellin; is concerned that it is now two months since their disappearance and that members of the Association of Families of the Detained and Disappeared continue to receive further threats and harassment; and calls upon the Colombian government to investigate the disappearance of these two human rights workers and on the Government to press for such an investigation.

That this House notes with concern the continuing disappearance of two Colombian human rights defenders, Angel Quintero and Claudia Monsalve, members of ASFADDES (Association of Families of the Detained and Disappeared), Medellin; is concerned that it is now two months since their disappearance and that members of the Association of...