Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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131. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will raise the human rights abuses by the Latin American Solidarity Centre in the community of Pitalito, Colombia (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54481/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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At my request, officials of the Embassy of Ireland in Mexico City, which is also accredited to Colombia, have raised with the Colombian authorities concerns regarding the community displaced from their land in Pitalito. The promotion and protection of human rights is a core principle of Ireland's foreign policy. Ireland engages on human rights issues in our contacts with the Colombian Government and civil society, including when I met with President Santos earlier this year. Ireland's concerns were also raised at the Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review of Colombia this year. Together with our partners in the EU, Ireland will continue to monitor closely and to promote the progressive improvement of the human rights situation in Colombia.