SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan has welcomed a delegation of Colombian human rights defenders on a visit to Derry to learn more about the Irish peace process and to discuss similarities and experiences which could help see an end to the longest running conflict in the Americas.
The 50-year-old conflict in Colombia has killed an estimated 220,000 people since it began in the 1960s.
Peace talks between the Colombian government and left-wing rebels from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) – ongoing since 2013 – aim to end it, and the two sides hope to sign a final agreement within months.
The meeting, hosted by Trócaire and ABColombia, follows on from visits by Mr Durkan to Colombia and talks in Cuba in support of a new peace deal.
Mr Durkan said: “It was a privilege to meet these human rights defenders who are victims’ advocates, community activists, land rights champions and a pastoral leader.
“They are very brave people, because even in the context of the Colombian peace process, human rights defenders are being targeted by a number of paramilitary groups, suffering threat, violence and death.
“They shared their thoughts on the challenges of implementing and realising the peace process in areas and communities worst affected by conflict and where rights violations are most in need of redress.
“They want the international community, not least the EU, to provide support and goodwill, not just through Colombian government ministries or agencies but also through inclusive, non-governmental partnerships and intermediary funding bodies.
“They would use our EU Peace Programme funding models as a sort of example.
“I was glad to confirm that this is a point that politicians from here who have engaged with the Colombian process have stressed to Eamon Gilmore who is now the EU’s Special Envoy for the Colombian peace process.”
