OHCHR / TURK COLOMBIA VISIT
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STORY: OHCHR / TURK COLOMBIA VISIT
TRT: 05:52
SOURCE: OHCHR
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 25 JANUARY, BOGOTA, COLOMBIA
SHOTLIST:
1. Wide shot, Bogota
2. Various shots, of HC Türk holding meetings in UN office
3. Wide shot, Bogota
4. Wide shot, shot press conference
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“I have just come from a ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where I signed a new Host Country Agreement with the Government, and it is giving me extream pleasure to do that, because we have extended the presence of my Office here until 2032.”
6. Med shot, HC holding meeting in UN office
7. “I would like to express my deep gratitude to the government for this agreement, wichi will allow us to continue and I hope strengthen our work here. As I am sure many of you know, Colombia is one of my Officces, oldest and biggest presences that we have around the world.”
8. Virous shots, still photo moments
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“I also had a chance to meet with President Gustavo Petro this afternoon, I welcomed his Government’s new “total peace” policy, including the commitment to implement fully the 2016 peace agreement with the FARC-EP. I also welcomed the resumption of talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN). The magnitude of the challenges is daunting, decades-long conflicts and violence, deep-rooted structural inequalities, discrimination and exclusion and the weak or inexistent presence of the State in many rural areas affected by the conflicts.”
10. Wide shot, Bogota
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“Colombia’s problems, including its deep-rooted racism and discrimination, go back decades, indeed centuries. And they continue still, as I heard from representatives of indigenous peoples and Afro-Colombians.”
12. Wide shot, Bogota
13. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“The levels of violence that communities experience from diverse armed groups is unimaginable. Displacement, confinement, gender and sexual-based violence, massacres form part of their daily experience. We must all support efforts to put an end to this.”
14. Close-up shot, HC holding meeting
15. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“With land ownership one of the root causes of the decades-long conflict, it is essential that rural reform, as set out in the peace accords with the FARC-EP, is implemented.”
16. Med shot, HC holding meeting
17. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“My Office hopes to sign shortly a memorandum of understanding with the Defence Ministry to provide assistance in integrating international human rights norms and standards into the work of the security forces.”
18. Med shot, HC holding meeting
19. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“Let’s not forget that for 2022 my Office in Colombia has so far verified 83 cases of massacres, and 112 killings of human rights defenders. Across Colombia, human rights defenders play a vital role in speaking up for the most vulnerable. Working in areas afflicted by violence, they are all too often at risk themselves. Human rights defenders told me of their concerns about the lack of protection and lack of accountability. I am therefore encouraged to learn about the important emergency measures put in place by the Government at the request of civil society, to address protection risks for human rights defenders in these areas. Related to violence, drug policy was one of the points I discussed in my meeting with President Petro. I expressed my support for the shift on drug policy from a primarily punitive to a more social and public health approach.”
20. Med Shot, Bogota
21. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“On Tuesday evening I spoke at an event hosted by the Ambassador of Sweden to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Joining me were Francia Márquez, Colombia´s first Afro-Colombian Vice-President - an activist for human rights and environmental justice who we worked with over the years, and Daniela Soto, a young indigenous authority, herself a victim of the armed conflict, who spoke eloquently about the need to protect all human life – and the life of Mother Nature. Here were two women representing Colombia in its ethnic and racial richness. The embodiment of what I stressed last night – that equality, justice, freedom, shared development and participation in decisions are values we all share and rights we all deserve.”
22. Wide shot, Bogota
STORYLINE:
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk conducted a two-day official mission to Colombia from Tuesday 24 to Wednesday 25 January, at the invitation of the Government.
During his visit, the High Commissioner met senior Government and other officials, civil society representatives, human rights defenders, as well as representatives of indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples, and members of the international community.
“I have just come from a ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where I signed a new Host Country Agreement with the Government, extending the presence of my Office here until 2032,” he said.
For nearly 26 years, OHCHR office and staff have worked alongside Colombians to improve the human rights situation of all Colombians.
During his visit Volker Türk had the opportunity to meet, among others, the Defence and Interior Ministers, the Procurator General and Ombudsman, the Head of the UN Verification Mission, as well as civil society representative and representatives of indigenous and Afro-Colombian peoples and members of the International community. “I also had a chance to meet with President Gustavo Petro this afternoon, I welcomed his Government’s new “total peace” policy, including the commitment to implement fully the 2016 peace agreement with the FARC-EP. I also welcomed the resumption of talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN.)” he said. The Government, he added could count on the specific expertise of OHCHR to accompany negotiations and advise on human rights issues and victims’ rights.
“The magnitude of the challenges is daunting, decades-long conflicts and violence, deep-rooted structural inequalities, discrimination and exclusion and the weak or inexistent presence of the State in many rural areas affected by the conflicts,” Türk stated.
“Colombia’s problems, including its deep-rooted racism and discrimination, go back decades, indeed centuries. And they continue still, as I heard from representatives of indigenous peoples and Afro-Colombians,” he said. Adding “The levels of violence that communities experience from diverse armed groups is unimaginable. Displacement, confinement, gender and sexual-based violence, massacres form part of their daily experience. We must all support efforts to put an end to this.”
According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, in 2022 some 102,00 people were unable to move in and out of their areas without permission, and ended up being isolated, without access to humanitarian assistance. In addition, 82,860 were newly displaced. It is important that all armed actors ensure that humanitarian groups are able to so desperately need. International humanitarian law should apply where applicable.
“With land ownership one of the root causes of the decades-long conflict, it is essential that rural reform, as set out in the peace accords with the FARC-EP, is implemented” Türk said.
Reform of the security sector, including the police, is another key area. he welcomed the fact that the Government has expressed its willingness to undertake this with an approach based on the respect of human rights. “My Office hopes to sign shortly a memorandum of understanding with the Defence Ministry to provide assistance in integrating international human rights norms and standards into the work of the security forces,” he said.
“Let’s not forget that for 2022 my Office in Colombia has so far verified 83 cases of massacres, and 112 killings of human rights defenders,” Türk said.
“Across Colombia, human rights defenders play a vital role in speaking up for the most vulnerable. Working in areas afflicted by violence, they are all too often at risk themselves. Human rights defenders told me of their concerns about the lack of protection and lack of accountability. I am therefore encouraged to learn about the important emergency measures put in place by the Government at the request of civil society, to address protection risks for human rights defenders in these areas,” Türk said. OHCHR will continue to make every effort to assist the Government with its policies to protect human rights defenders, and aim to conclude a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of the Interior regarding this.
“Related to violence, drug policy was one of the points I discussed in my meeting with President Petro. I expressed my support for the shift on drug policy from a primarily punitive to a more social and public health approach,”the high Commissioner stated. By addressing one of the causes of violence in Colombia, this approach could be instrumental in better protecting the rights of rural farmers, and indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities. A public health approach could better serve people who use drugs – both in Colombia and globally. OHCHR is willing to help Government in enhancing human rights protections in its policies to fight against the illegal drug trade.
He welcomed significant progress made by the transitional justice mechanisms. The commitment announced by the Government to implement the recommendations of the Truth Commission is also hugely important to tackle the root causes of violence and conflict, and as part of the healing process.
He also welcomed the first concluding resolutions issued by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace on the hostage-taking policy by the FARC-EP and on cases of civilians killed by the military and then presented as guerrilla members killed in combat (known as “falsos positivos”). This is essential for the advancement of the rights of victims of the armed conflict.
Colombia’s path away from decades of conflict and its legacy will no doubt be long, and often strenuous, for the reasons I have outlined and many more. But I do leave Colombia optimistic for the country. “On Tuesday evening I spoke at an event hosted by the Ambassador of Sweden to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” Türk said
“Joining me were Francia Márquez, Colombia´s first Afro-Colombian Vice-President - an activist for human rights and environmental justice who we worked with over the years, and Daniela Soto, a young indigenous authority, herself a victim of the armed conflict, who spoke eloquently about the need to protect all human life – and the life of Mother Nature,” he said.
In conclusion, he said, “Here were two women representing Colombia in its ethnic and racial richness. The embodiment of what I stressed last night – that equality, justice, freedom, shared development and participation in decisions are values we all share and rights we all deserve.”
TRT: 05:52
SOURCE: OHCHR
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 25 JANUARY, BOGOTA, COLOMBIA
SHOTLIST:
1. Wide shot, Bogota
2. Various shots, of HC Türk holding meetings in UN office
3. Wide shot, Bogota
4. Wide shot, shot press conference
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“I have just come from a ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where I signed a new Host Country Agreement with the Government, and it is giving me extream pleasure to do that, because we have extended the presence of my Office here until 2032.”
6. Med shot, HC holding meeting in UN office
7. “I would like to express my deep gratitude to the government for this agreement, wichi will allow us to continue and I hope strengthen our work here. As I am sure many of you know, Colombia is one of my Officces, oldest and biggest presences that we have around the world.”
8. Virous shots, still photo moments
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“I also had a chance to meet with President Gustavo Petro this afternoon, I welcomed his Government’s new “total peace” policy, including the commitment to implement fully the 2016 peace agreement with the FARC-EP. I also welcomed the resumption of talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN). The magnitude of the challenges is daunting, decades-long conflicts and violence, deep-rooted structural inequalities, discrimination and exclusion and the weak or inexistent presence of the State in many rural areas affected by the conflicts.”
10. Wide shot, Bogota
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“Colombia’s problems, including its deep-rooted racism and discrimination, go back decades, indeed centuries. And they continue still, as I heard from representatives of indigenous peoples and Afro-Colombians.”
12. Wide shot, Bogota
13. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“The levels of violence that communities experience from diverse armed groups is unimaginable. Displacement, confinement, gender and sexual-based violence, massacres form part of their daily experience. We must all support efforts to put an end to this.”
14. Close-up shot, HC holding meeting
15. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“With land ownership one of the root causes of the decades-long conflict, it is essential that rural reform, as set out in the peace accords with the FARC-EP, is implemented.”
16. Med shot, HC holding meeting
17. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“My Office hopes to sign shortly a memorandum of understanding with the Defence Ministry to provide assistance in integrating international human rights norms and standards into the work of the security forces.”
18. Med shot, HC holding meeting
19. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“Let’s not forget that for 2022 my Office in Colombia has so far verified 83 cases of massacres, and 112 killings of human rights defenders. Across Colombia, human rights defenders play a vital role in speaking up for the most vulnerable. Working in areas afflicted by violence, they are all too often at risk themselves. Human rights defenders told me of their concerns about the lack of protection and lack of accountability. I am therefore encouraged to learn about the important emergency measures put in place by the Government at the request of civil society, to address protection risks for human rights defenders in these areas. Related to violence, drug policy was one of the points I discussed in my meeting with President Petro. I expressed my support for the shift on drug policy from a primarily punitive to a more social and public health approach.”
20. Med Shot, Bogota
21. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“On Tuesday evening I spoke at an event hosted by the Ambassador of Sweden to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Joining me were Francia Márquez, Colombia´s first Afro-Colombian Vice-President - an activist for human rights and environmental justice who we worked with over the years, and Daniela Soto, a young indigenous authority, herself a victim of the armed conflict, who spoke eloquently about the need to protect all human life – and the life of Mother Nature. Here were two women representing Colombia in its ethnic and racial richness. The embodiment of what I stressed last night – that equality, justice, freedom, shared development and participation in decisions are values we all share and rights we all deserve.”
22. Wide shot, Bogota
STORYLINE:
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk conducted a two-day official mission to Colombia from Tuesday 24 to Wednesday 25 January, at the invitation of the Government.
During his visit, the High Commissioner met senior Government and other officials, civil society representatives, human rights defenders, as well as representatives of indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples, and members of the international community.
“I have just come from a ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where I signed a new Host Country Agreement with the Government, extending the presence of my Office here until 2032,” he said.
For nearly 26 years, OHCHR office and staff have worked alongside Colombians to improve the human rights situation of all Colombians.
During his visit Volker Türk had the opportunity to meet, among others, the Defence and Interior Ministers, the Procurator General and Ombudsman, the Head of the UN Verification Mission, as well as civil society representative and representatives of indigenous and Afro-Colombian peoples and members of the International community. “I also had a chance to meet with President Gustavo Petro this afternoon, I welcomed his Government’s new “total peace” policy, including the commitment to implement fully the 2016 peace agreement with the FARC-EP. I also welcomed the resumption of talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN.)” he said. The Government, he added could count on the specific expertise of OHCHR to accompany negotiations and advise on human rights issues and victims’ rights.
“The magnitude of the challenges is daunting, decades-long conflicts and violence, deep-rooted structural inequalities, discrimination and exclusion and the weak or inexistent presence of the State in many rural areas affected by the conflicts,” Türk stated.
“Colombia’s problems, including its deep-rooted racism and discrimination, go back decades, indeed centuries. And they continue still, as I heard from representatives of indigenous peoples and Afro-Colombians,” he said. Adding “The levels of violence that communities experience from diverse armed groups is unimaginable. Displacement, confinement, gender and sexual-based violence, massacres form part of their daily experience. We must all support efforts to put an end to this.”
According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, in 2022 some 102,00 people were unable to move in and out of their areas without permission, and ended up being isolated, without access to humanitarian assistance. In addition, 82,860 were newly displaced. It is important that all armed actors ensure that humanitarian groups are able to so desperately need. International humanitarian law should apply where applicable.
“With land ownership one of the root causes of the decades-long conflict, it is essential that rural reform, as set out in the peace accords with the FARC-EP, is implemented” Türk said.
Reform of the security sector, including the police, is another key area. he welcomed the fact that the Government has expressed its willingness to undertake this with an approach based on the respect of human rights. “My Office hopes to sign shortly a memorandum of understanding with the Defence Ministry to provide assistance in integrating international human rights norms and standards into the work of the security forces,” he said.
“Let’s not forget that for 2022 my Office in Colombia has so far verified 83 cases of massacres, and 112 killings of human rights defenders,” Türk said.
“Across Colombia, human rights defenders play a vital role in speaking up for the most vulnerable. Working in areas afflicted by violence, they are all too often at risk themselves. Human rights defenders told me of their concerns about the lack of protection and lack of accountability. I am therefore encouraged to learn about the important emergency measures put in place by the Government at the request of civil society, to address protection risks for human rights defenders in these areas,” Türk said. OHCHR will continue to make every effort to assist the Government with its policies to protect human rights defenders, and aim to conclude a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of the Interior regarding this.
“Related to violence, drug policy was one of the points I discussed in my meeting with President Petro. I expressed my support for the shift on drug policy from a primarily punitive to a more social and public health approach,”the high Commissioner stated. By addressing one of the causes of violence in Colombia, this approach could be instrumental in better protecting the rights of rural farmers, and indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities. A public health approach could better serve people who use drugs – both in Colombia and globally. OHCHR is willing to help Government in enhancing human rights protections in its policies to fight against the illegal drug trade.
He welcomed significant progress made by the transitional justice mechanisms. The commitment announced by the Government to implement the recommendations of the Truth Commission is also hugely important to tackle the root causes of violence and conflict, and as part of the healing process.
He also welcomed the first concluding resolutions issued by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace on the hostage-taking policy by the FARC-EP and on cases of civilians killed by the military and then presented as guerrilla members killed in combat (known as “falsos positivos”). This is essential for the advancement of the rights of victims of the armed conflict.
Colombia’s path away from decades of conflict and its legacy will no doubt be long, and often strenuous, for the reasons I have outlined and many more. But I do leave Colombia optimistic for the country. “On Tuesday evening I spoke at an event hosted by the Ambassador of Sweden to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” Türk said
“Joining me were Francia Márquez, Colombia´s first Afro-Colombian Vice-President - an activist for human rights and environmental justice who we worked with over the years, and Daniela Soto, a young indigenous authority, herself a victim of the armed conflict, who spoke eloquently about the need to protect all human life – and the life of Mother Nature,” he said.
In conclusion, he said, “Here were two women representing Colombia in its ethnic and racial richness. The embodiment of what I stressed last night – that equality, justice, freedom, shared development and participation in decisions are values we all share and rights we all deserve.”
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