In the midst of a caravan of flags and all kinds of banners related to the situation the country has experienced during the protests of the National Strike since last April 28, citizens received the delegates of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) at the exit on 26th street to the Bogotá’s El Dorado airport.
Between June 8 and 10, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights will carry out a working visit to Colombia to observe the human rights situation in the context of the protests that began on April 28. The IACHR will be in Bogotá and Cali to have dialogues and receive information from broad sectors of the society.
The delegation is led by the President of the IACHR, Antonia Urrejola; it includes Commissioners Joel Hernández and Stuardo Ralón; it has the support of the Executive Secretary, Tania Reneaum Panszi; the Assistant Executive Secretary for Monitoring, Promotion and Technical Cooperation, María Claudia Pulido; the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, Pedro Vaca; and people from the technical team of the Executive Secretariat.
#Bogotá peaceful demonstrations on the 26th street near the El Dorado airport. The community welcomes you to the @CIDH #ParoNacional6J
#Bogotá manifestaciones pacíficas por la calle 26 cerca al aeropuerto el Dorado. La comunidad le da la bienvenida a la @CIDH #ParoNacional6J pic.twitter.com/hBJdBnVGSy
— Contagio Radio (@Contagioradio1) June 6, 2021
During the working visit, the Commission will meet with various representative sectors of the Colombian society, including government authorities at different levels of executive, legislative, and judicial powers; representatives of civil society organizations, collectives, groups, unions, and other representatives of the sectors affected by the protests. It will seek to listen especially to the victims of human rights violations and their families, to receive testimonies, complaints and communications. The Commission also reaffirmed its commitment to listen to all people, and will continue to receive testimonies virtually after the visit.
Likewise, the IACHR reported that it will not be able to receive any type of documentary material or requests in physical format. Any new request for a petition or precautionary measure, as well as additional information related to them, must be sent only through its online portal or to the email: CIDHPortal@oas.org. For any other general query or submission of information, an email should be sent to: CIDHDenuncias@oas.org.
Lastly, the IACHR reaffirmed its permanent commitment to the victims of human rights violations and their families.
Translated from Spanish by Teodora Hasegan
