Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator. As the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Simon Coveney, is preparing for parliamentary questions in the Lower House, I have been asked to take this Commencement matter.

I am aware of the difficult situation that exits for human rights defenders and indigenous leaders in Colombia and of the worrying levels of violence, threats and intimidation against these groups. The absence of the state in former conflict areas following the demobilisation of FARC has resulted in other armed groups gaining control in these areas, primarily to control the illegal economy. This has implications for the security of local communities, in particular human rights defenders and community leaders, including indigenous leaders.

Our new resident embassy in Bogotá has been engaging with civil society, European Union and multilateral partners on this issue since it opened at the beginning of this year. We also raise this matter regularly in our exchanges with the Colombian Government. The Taoiseach underlined Ireland's continuing support for the Colombian peace process at his meeting with President Duque on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York in September last year. The visit of the Foreign Minister of Colombia, Carlos Holmes Trujillo Garcia, to Ireland last September also included dialogue and exchanges on the situation for human rights defenders in the country.

Earlier this year, former Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, in his position as UN special envoy to the Colombian peace process, a role in which he is supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, led the 11th session of the EU-Colombia human rights dialogue. During this dialogue with representatives of the Colombian Government he raised the alarmingly high numbers of attacks against human rights defenders across the country. Particular reference was made to the disproportionately high level of violence against indigenous leaders and the need for collective protection measures.

Furthermore, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade regularly meets and supports human rights defenders from Colombia. It will continue to engage with these groups through our embassy in Bogotá and in Ireland. The peace process is fundamental to improving the human rights situation in the country and Ireland has contributed over €14 million in support of this since 2007, mainly channelled through the UN and Colombian and international NGOs focusing on human rights, conflict prevention, peace building and supporting livelihoods for rural populations. Ireland also provides ongoing support in the form of lesson sharing, based on our own experience of peace building and reconciliation on the island of Ireland. In June this year, a delegation from Northern Ireland visited Colombia to engage in discussions with the government on key elements of the peace agreement and its implementation.

Great strides have been made in the implementation of the peace accord in Colombia. However, significant challenges remain, including in the areas of rural reform, the reincorporation of former combatants and the protection of human rights defenders and social leaders.Not least among the lessons we have learned in 20 years of implementation of the Good Friday Agreement is how long it takes to build a sustainable peace. It is not a linear process. Ireland will remain a committed supporter of Colombia in its efforts to secure long-lasting peace and security for its people.