On 24 July 2018, the following written question on Colombia was addressed in the British parliament:
Patrick Grady MP (Scottish National Party)
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will respond to Early Day Motion 1492, on human rights in Colombia.
Alan Duncan MP, Minister of State for Europe and the Americas
Human rights defenders and social leaders play a vital role in promoting the rights of local communities and minority groups in Colombia, and in helping to realise the benefits of the historic peace agreement. I am concerned by reports of increasing violence and killings of human rights defenders and social leaders, something I have discussed with Colombian Ministers and the Colombian Ambassador. The FCO supports the important work of human rights defenders globally, including through our advocacy and project work.
On 25 July 2018, the following written question on Colombia was addressed in the British parliament:
Nigel Dodds MP (Democratic Unionist Party)
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to his Colombian counterpart on freedom of religion and upholding human rights in that country.
Alan Duncan MP, Minister of State for Europe and the Americas
I am concerned by levels of violence against human rights defenders and community leaders, which includes some religious leaders. We believe religious leaders have been targeted for their role as community leaders, and not primarily because of their faith. Colombia is designated a Human Rights Priority Country by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). Our concerns about human rights were published in the FCO’s annual human rights report on 16 July which can be viewed on the .Gov website. I have discussed the situation of human rights in Colombia with visiting Ministers and with the Colombian Ambassador. The UK also raised concerns about violence against human rights defenders and conflict related sexual violence during Colombia’s Universal Periodic Review at Geneva in May.