Concerns over the protection of LGBTI rights in Colombia have grown after the far-right government of Abelardo de la Espriella withdrew Colombia from the Equal Rights Coalition (ERC), an international alliance of over 40 governments, as well as civil society organisations.
The ERC was founded in 2016 as an international forum to develop strategies between states and civil society for strengthening LGBTI rights and putting them into practice. It is one of the world’s largest such coalitions, with Britain and Ireland among its member countries. Among its core objectives are the elimination of violence against LGBTQ people, an end to discrimination and promoting inclusion.
On 17 September, Colombia’s foreign ministry announced the country’s withdrawal from the ERC with immediate effect, despite having been designated the coalition’s co-chair alongside Spain for the 2025-27 period. The Colombian government did not provide a reason for its decision, though it appears De la Epriella’s government considered the issue as too close to the Petro government. Given the character of the new government, it seems likely that ideological factors also came into play.
Colombian LGBTI rights association Caribe Afirmativo, currently one of the ERC’s civil society co-chairs, was among those to criticise the withdrawal, urging the government to explain its decision and how it intends to address LGBTI rights and equality moving forwards.
On the same day as Colombia’s withdrawal from the ERC was confirmed, human rights defender Roxxy Vanessa Astaiza was murdered in Popayán. Roxxy was a trans woman and prominent activist who belonged to the Mariposas Negras (Black Butterflies) collective that campaigns for LGBTI rights. She was also a candidate in elections for the Cauca Departmental Advisory Council for Women. With homophobic and anti-trans violence having risen in recent years, the government’s decision on the ERC does little to assuage concerns that it will adequately confront the issue over the next four years.