Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The UN has documented that 172 human rights defenders were murdered in Colombia last year and in the first four months of this year 51 were murdered. In addition, 139 former FARC members have been killed since the signing of a peace deal in 2016. The UN has described the killings as "a risk to the peace process" and "a violation of the guarantees made by Colombia".

Right wing paramilitaries are carrying out these murders with impunity and sometimes the Colombian army is involved. Last month The New York Timesrevealed new orders instructing top army commanders to "double the results" of their military missions and to lower the standard under which they launched them. That is basically an order to encourage human rights abuses.

Is the Tánaiste aware that a member of the Wayúu indigenous community in the north east of Colombia who visited Ireland received death threats when she returned to Colombia? Jakeline Romero visited Leinster House for an informal meeting with the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade. She delivered a moving presentation detailing the reality of life in her community, how the community has been damaged by the Cerrejón mine, and the daily harassment she faces. I believe the threats against her are real and credible. She is now at a heightened risk of being seriously injured or killed. I have been informed that the Colombian Government has responded by saying that Ms Romero's security risk assessment remains "ordinary" and is not deserving of increased security. I believe Ireland must insist on increased protection being provided.

See this speech in context