Op-ed: Shattered dreams of peace in Colombia and what Canada can do about it
Photo: Colectivo SOS Colombia Ottawa-Gatineau
A national strike in Colombia that began on April 28 over a now-cancelled tax reform has grown into massive mobilizations against extreme inequality and police repression. Since then, at least 50 (and counting) demonstrators have been killed, hundreds have been detained arbitrarily or are still unaccounted for, dozens have suffered severe eye injuries, and multiple cases of sexual violations by the infamous Mobile Anti-Riot Squad, ESMAD, have been reported. These numbers grow every day. Our partner organizations, and civil society in general, warn that a tipping point has been reached.
The state’s brutality against protesters confirms the spiralling deterioration of human rights in the country. Colombia once again holds the dubious reputation of being the most dangerous place in the world to be a human rights defender. Social leaders are specifically targeted. Viewed as obstacles to control over territories and resources, human rights and environmental defenders are being attacked in their homes as armed groups take advantage of COVID-19 confinement measures.
The Colombian government and the FARC guerrillas signed a peace accord only four years ago, following a 60-year armed conflict. This accord was lauded by Canada, which prides itself in being an important contributor to the process.
Yet, the Colombian government has not fulfilled its commitments to peace and human rights. The Duque administration has repeatedly attacked the transitional justice system, underfunded key programs, failed to take concerted action to stop the assassinations of demobilized insurgents, and neglected pivotal issues including rural reform, substitution of illicit crops like coca, protection of Indigenous and Afro-Colombians, and the agreement’s commitments regarding women and LGBTQ+ people.
Canadian officials like to call the government of Colombia its ally.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, which went ahead despite widespread opposition and concerns that increased Canadian trade and investment – particularly in the energy and extractive sectors – could exacerbate or benefit from an already alarming human rights context. In 2014, Canadian-made light-armoured vehicles (LAVs) were sold by INKAS Armoured Vehicles Manufacturing to the Colombian government. Could these same vehicles be the ones now being used to attack peaceful protests?
As Colombia sinks into a deeper crisis, Canada’s words and actions on human rights appear more starkly contradictory than ever. Consequently, the multi-agency Americas Policy Group has been asking Canadian authorities for a coherent, whole-of-government approach to address the situation in Colombia. Such an approach would bring together Canada’s foreign policy, international aid, trade and investment, and immigration agendas in the defence of human rights.
Canada must use its diplomatic leverage to advance human rights and peacebuilding in Colombia. But this also means that Canada must review how its own foreign affairs policy and trade and investment interests may also undermine peace.
The Hill Times paper edition May 25, 2021