Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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346. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will highlight the death threats to social leaders in Colombia, where 28 social campaigners and trade unionists were murdered and a further nine were massacred in Putumayo in March 2016. [15533/16]

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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347. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the growing level of State-sponsored violence and intimidation against agrarian protesters in Colombia which has taken the lives of three protesters in June 2016. [15534/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 346 and 347 together.

I am concerned by the recent reports of violence, social unrest and killings in Colombia to which the Deputy refers. The promotion and protection of human rights is a key priority for Ireland and we condemn unreservedly all attacks and threats against human rights defenders and other campaigners for social justice, wherever they take place.

Agrarian protests involving the blockading of roads have been taking place across Colombia, and three protesters were killed in clashes with the police. On 9 June, President Santos said that his government wished to establish a dialogue with the protestors to try to resolve the issue.

Officials from my Department met with Colombian social campaigners in Dublin last month to discuss the recent upsurge in violence against environmental and trade union activists. Colombia faces significant challenges in securing lasting peace and security, particularly in its remote, rural districts. It is clear that, as the peace process between the Colombian government and the FARC guerrilla group nears its conclusion, there remain elements in Colombian society who oppose peace and who will seek to derail the agreement through violence.

A climate of violence breeds human rights abuses, and only lasting peace can ensure the conditions necessary for the full enjoyment of human rights. In that context, we must acknowledge the enormous progress that has been made in the peace talks between the Colombian Government and the FARC. After over 50 years of violence, the talks are approaching a historic conclusion. Moreover, on 30 March, the country’s second-largest leftist guerrilla group, the ELN, announced that it would also participate in formal peace negotiations with the government. In addition, the third major source of non-state violence, the criminal networks known as BACRIM (Bandas Criminales) which evolved from right-wing paramilitary organisations, are now the target of a major government effort to tackle organised crime and prevent such groups from destabilising the peace process.

Human rights are at the heart of Ireland’s engagement with Colombia. To highlight our concern at attacks and threats against human rights defenders, trade unionists and others, officials from our embassy in Mexico, which is accredited to Colombia on a non-residential basis, meet with human rights groups and government officials during their regular visits to Colombia. In addition, officials from my Department continue to raise our concerns around human rights in Colombia at EU level.

Through the mechanism of the EU-Colombia Human Rights Dialogue, the Union engages with the Colombian authorities in a structured manner across the full range of human rights issues, including as regards human rights defenders and trade unionists, land restitution, economic and environmental issues. It is our firm belief that this policy of engagement, dialogue and scrutiny, which is ongoing, regular and structured, is the best way to promote human rights in Colombia.

A significant proportion of Ireland’s funding to Colombia is focused on supporting human rights initiatives and human rights defenders. In recent years, this has included funding to Christian Aid, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Colombia, and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.