John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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98. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the events in Colombia in recent days, including the killing of protestors by police officers and reports of human rights abuses. [24132/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The right to peaceful protest is, as this House knows, a vital element of any democracy and I understand that the vast majority of the protests across Colombia in recent days have been peaceful, with violence reported in just 15 of Colombia's 400 municipalities. Citizens rights to demonstrate and to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly must be respected and protected and not be suppressed by force.

I am deeply concerned at reports of disproportionate use of force by the police in Colombia against protestors and observers and at attacks on the police themselves and police infrastructure I understand that the deaths of 23 civilians and 1 police officer have initially been reported. I express my sincere condolences to the families of the victims and I condemn, in the strongest terms, the violence which has also led to the injury of hundreds of civilians and police officers.

Our Embassy in Bogotá is monitoring this serious and complex situation closely. The Embassy, alongside EU Member State partners and other Embassies, has met with the Colombian authorities in Bogotá. The authorities communicated their respect for the right to peaceful protest, while also condemning attacks on police and State Institutions and rejecting all illegitimate use of force. They stated that they are taking all reports of disproportionate use of force seriously and have opened 33 disciplinary investigations. I trust that the Colombian authorities will fully investigate and bring those responsible for abuses or human rights violations to justice.

I support the statement on 6 May by EU High Representative/Vice-President Borrell. I echo his call to reduce tensions and to reject the use of violence by those who mingle with protesters only to commit acts of vandalism. These illegal actions reduce the space for civil society to express itself and generate chaos and disorder.

After decades of violence, Colombia needs to continue and strengthen the advances on the path towards peace. Colombia’s citizens deserve stability, safety and certainty, especially in view of the serious challenges the country is facing from the coronavirus pandemic.

I welcome President Duque's call for a national dialogue and express Ireland's solidarity with the Government and people of Colombia in facing these challenges through peaceful, inclusive and constructive dialogue and in forging a consensus on dealing with them.