Javier Niño Pérez, director for the Americas of the European External Action Service (Seae), visited the country after 20 years and was pleasantly surprised with the progress and commitments on issues such as the reintegration of former combatants within the implementation of the peace agreements, the commitment to economic growth and the fight against change climate.
(Read: Duque’s objections after the Court’s ruling on the implementation of the agreement)
But also He showed his enormous concern for, as he called it, “life”, the life of “social and environmental leaders, of indigenous communities and Afro-descendants”.
(You may be interested in: Threats against social leaders in Cesar tarnish the electoral campaign)
“The reality of the figures shows us that these reinforcements must be redoubled”, before what the entire EU contest offered.
During his visit, Niño Pérez spoke with the vice president and chancellor, Marta Lucía Ramírez, visited the Guaviare area and highlighted the strong ties that unite the European Union (EU) and Colombia beyond the current government.
What reading does the EU make of the political moment that Latin America has gone through in recent years, especially the social outbreak in countries such as Bolivia, Chile and Colombia?
As we all know, almost all the countries of Latin America suffer from a structural problem of inequalities: high rates of poverty, high levels of informality, as well as considerable social, ethnic and gender inequalities.
This lack of prospects for a decent life for significant parts of the region’s populations has always generated political instability. The pandemic has considerably worsened the situation, hitting the most fragile the hardest and erasing a decade of social progress, despite the efforts of governments to mitigate its effects.
The EU has been an important ally for Colombia in the implementation of the peace agreements
What actions should be taken with a view to the post-pandemic?
The challenge we all face is that of build back better or rebuilding better, that is, transforming the post-pandemic recovery into an opportunity to have greener, fairer, more inclusive economies, less dependent on fossil fuels.
Colombia has impressive potential in this area, especially with its determined commitment to the climate transition. The economy has recovered very quickly in 2020. The real challenge remains to generate more formal jobs and ensure an economic and social recovery that reaches the entire territory.
What do you think that the Court declared the state of affairs unconstitutional due to the low level of implementation of the component of security guarantees for ex-combatants?
The reintegration is a major success of the implementation of the peace agreement.
I have been able to speak with people in the process of reintegration and I have been impressed by their determination to continue on the path of peace.
It is essential to guarantee their safety and it seems to me that the Colombian government shares this concern. We will closely follow the measures that will be taken after the Court’s decision.
What aspect stands out and what is the main concern of the EU in terms of human rights regarding Colombia?
First of all, the human rights dialogue between the European Union and Colombia is a dialogue between democracies. We share experiences, doubts, sometimes very frank criticism, but we always do it to learn from each other and in a logic of improvement and mutual support. Our basic concern, put very simply, is life.
The lives of social and environmental leaders, of indigenous and Afro-descendant communities; the life of ex-combatants, of civilians, and obviously also the life of the personnel of the armed forces and the police.
There we have all seen that there are worrying trends, a constant process of murders, an increase in displacement and in rural areas, and since the beginning of the year a very marked wave of violence.
How do you see Colombia’s commitment to resolve these concerns?
We have a constant dialogue with the Government on these issues and close cooperation to support the Office of the Prosecutor, police reform efforts and institutions.
My exchanges in recent days confirm that we share the same concerns and understand the difficulty of protecting so many people in different areas of the territory.
(Be sure to read: Herman Naranjo, kidnapped community leader in Arauca, is murdered)
Efforts have been made to persecute the intellectual authors of the murders of leaders, for example the creation of the Special Investigation Unit. But the reality of the figures shows us that these reinforcements must be redoubled. For the first time, the country will vote for 16 peace seats in Congress.
What possibilities do you think this fact brings to Colombia?
The democratic election of victims’ representatives to Congress is a historic event and another essential step in implementing the peace agreement. Colombia continues to show that it has the ability to look the past in the face.
The European Union and its Member States have entered into a dialogue with the candidates, we have been working with many of them for years and we know that their main difficulties are in matters of security and logistics, in addition to the need to explain this major innovation to their possible constituents .
What does the EU expect from the government that is elected this year in Colombia?
Whoever is the next president will be able to continue counting on the alliance with Europe. The comprehensive implementation of the peace agreement, whether it is about rural reform, substituting illicit crops, guaranteeing the presence of the State throughout the territory or squarely confronting ethnic and social inequalities, is a long-term task. .
The economic transition and the protection of biodiversity and natural resources are another essential issue. I had not been to Colombia for 20 years and I was shocked by the positive change, of course, and also by the immense human, natural and economic potential of this country.
What are the immediate issues to work on between the EU and Colombia?
I would speak more of a long-term alliance that continues to grow. Seen from Brussels, there are very few countries in the region, I could say in the world, with which we share so much.
We work hand in hand on environmental and peace issues, we are allies in defending multilateralism, democracy, human rights and gender equality. We have supported Colombia to face unforeseen crises, especially in the migration issue, in which Colombia has done an admirable job.
What aspects do you hope to reinforce in terms of environmental protection and deforestation in the Amazon forests?
I was in Guaviare during this mission and we flew over the department, especially the areas bordering Chiribiquete. We saw scenes of devastation, hectares of jungle felled and burned.
With concern, we see how the lung of the world and the natural and water resources of Colombia are going like this before our eyes due to shady interests of land appropriation and illegal ranching. And I know that what I have seen in Guaviare also happens in Meta, Caquetá and parts of Putumayo.
But, I must emphasize that President Duque’s commitment to climate change has been impressive. The goal of protecting 30 percent of the national territory is very ambitious and the Government is determined to meet it before the end of its mandate.
More in world news:
– In the US Congress, they ask to designate Colombia an ‘extra’ ally of NATO
– Russia added 7,000 soldiers on the border with Ukraine, says the White House
– Dads save their son from being kidnapped by Uber driver
#Efforts #redoubled #assassinations #leaders #Colombia