Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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687. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will make representations to the Colombian Government regarding the ongoing violence and intimidation of local communities in Putumayo by armed gangs operating unmolested by either the Colombian army or police force. [27234/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Incidences of violence and intimidation against local communities in the Department of Putumayo and elsewhere in Colombia, as well as the presence of armed groups in such communities, is a matter of great concern. I condemn unreservedly any intimidation, violence, or discrimination perpetrated against those seeking to defend their rights, whether in Colombia or elsewhere.

As well as ongoing exchanges with Colombian authorities at Government-level, officials of my Department engage regularly with human rights defenders and civil society leaders active in Colombia, including those working in some of the communities most affected by conflict. An important and valued aspect of these contacts relates to Irish and Colombian people sharing experiences of peacebuilding.

In this regard, I am pleased that my Department could support a two-day visit to the marginalised and conflict-affected region of Putumayo last November by a group of women from Northern Ireland. Gender-based violence was a particular focus of their programme of meetings that was organised by the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights with community organisations as well as with the Governor and some public representatives of the region. An Embassy official accompanied them during their visit, and the Embassy will continue to support peacebuilding work in Colombia.

As well as important projects such as the experience sharing work involved in the recent visit to Putamayo, I am pleased that Ireland is a founder member and one of the largest contributors to the EU Trust Fund for Colombia. We have committed to providing €3 million in funding over the lifetime of the Fund, which aims to support the implementation of the peace agreement, and in discussions regarding the Fund’s strategic direction Ireland has advocated for a strong human rights perspective.

Furthermore, Ireland has this year pledged to provide €400,000 to the UN Trust Fund for Colombia and €300,000 to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, to assist in carrying out their vital work in Colombia.

I firmly believe that the Colombian peace process, which aims to create a virtuous circle between peacebuilding and respect for human rights, provides the framework in which the endemic violence and impunity which has afflicted Colombian society can successfully be addressed. As we know from our own experience in Ireland, peace processes are complex, challenging and can suffer unexpected setbacks. In this regard, I would like to commend the commitment of the Government in Colombia and all parties, in particular in civil society, who are working to support the implementation of the peace accords. Ireland will continue to support their efforts.