Unrest and human rights violations in Colombia

That this House is deeply shocked and concerned about reports of significant human rights violations in Colombia and violent repression of nationwide demonstrations by Colombian authorities; understands that protests began on 28 April 2021 in response to a tax bill presented by President Ivan Duque; notes with concern reports that the country’s riot police has responded to protestors with excessive force; is disturbed to learn of the deaths of dozens of people with hundreds more injured in recent unrest; has ongoing concerns about the worrying reports of the use by state authorities of arbitrary detention, acts of torture, sexual violence and forced disappearances; understands that human rights defenders have been harassed and threatened, while union leaders and indigenous activists have been targeted by authorities; calls on the Colombian Government to immediately stop the violent and militarised response to protests and to ensure that human rights, including the right to life, the right to free expression and the right to freedom of peaceful assembly are upheld; and calls on the UK Government to exert all diplomatic pressure to help ensure that the situation in Colombia reaches a peaceful resolution and human rights are upheld.