Dear John,
This Wednesday morning, I had the opportunity to testify in a virtual briefing of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, where I spoke about the pressing human rights challenges facing Colombia, particularly in light of a troubling recent uptick in violence that threatens to undermine years of progress toward peace.
During my testimony, I addressed the multifaceted challenges confronting Colombia's peace process, the brave peacebuilders working on the ground, and the human rights defenders who continue their vital work despite increasing threats. I also offered concrete recommendations for how the U.S. government can more effectively support peace and security in Colombia, a key partner in South America. Watch the full hearing here!
The context I shared paints a sobering picture, where the human cost has been devastating. Hundreds of social leaders and human rights defenders have been killed, with Indigenous and Afro-descendant community leaders bearing a disproportionate burden. Between January 1 and July 14 of this year, 88 social leaders have been killed, and we’ve seen a 45% increase in violent events compared to the same period from last year.
At WOLA, we remain committed to advancing human rights concerns in Colombia. In our July urgent updates, we documented this increase in violence against human rights defenders, particularly in vulnerable communities that have historically borne the brunt of Colombia's conflicts. We remain steadfast in monitoring the implementation of the peace process and continue to call for meaningful and sustainable peace.
Despite these challenges, I remain deeply inspired by the courage and resilience of our partners on the ground—the human rights defenders, peacebuilders, and community leaders who continue their vital work despite mounting threats. Their dedication to justice and peace drives our own commitment to supporting their efforts through advocacy, documentation, and platforms like Wednesday's congressional hearing. It is through this solidarity and sustained engagement that meaningful change becomes possible.
Sincerely,
