A number of constituents have recently written to me to
ask if I would sign Early Day Motion 2232 on “Inclusive peace and protection of
defenders in Colombia".
It is my policy to never sign EDMs, as apart from costing
taxpayers unnecessary amounts of money, they rarely achieve anything.
However, the points my constituents raised are of concern
to me.
I am well aware of the issue of Human Rights Defenders
(HRDs) who are facing repression and abuse as a result of their work to
challenge human rights abuses in Colombia and across the world.
I am appalled at reports that in 2017 more than 300 HRDs
were killed carrying out their work of defending the fundamental rights of all
humans.
The UK Government has recently updated its Guidelines on
Working with HRDs to help British diplomats to better support them, and
progress is being made to protect human rights defenders in other countries.
