IACHR Press Office
Washington, D.C./ Bogota Colombia – The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) is presenting its first follow-up report concerning recommendations made in the wake of the Commission's working visit to Colombia in June 2021, to observe the situation of human rights in the context of social protests during a general strike.
For this first follow-up report, the IACHR chose to focus on 28 of the 41 recommendations made following this working visit, with a view to restricting this analysis to the recommendations expected to have the biggest immediate impact on the exercise of social protests. For each recommendation, there is an analysis of the degree of compliance, the main challenges and findings, progress made to implement it, and official information obtained from the State and from civil society organizations. Of the 28 recommendations that were examined, compliance was yet to be attained in 11, had been partially attained in 14, and had partially but substantially been attained in 3.
This report is consistent with IACHR efforts and is part of the Commission's strategies to monitor recommendations, in order to identify efforts to attain compliance and to promote the timely adoption of measures aimed at effective implementation. Compliance with each recommendation has been assessed according to the General Guidelines on the Follow-Up of Recommendations and Decisions of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, published by the IACHR in 2019. Comprehensive compliance with the Commission's recommendations is a fundamental goal to ensure full protection for human rights in Member States of the Organization of American States (OAS) and to support the Inter-American Human Rights System. The current international scenario demands that all stakeholders become actively involved and report on the suitable, timely, and effective measures taken to protect rights.
The Commission acknowledges the efforts made by the Colombian State to move toward the adoption of effective measures to comply with these recommendations, several of which have been substantial and contribute to strengthening the country's institutions and regulations concerning the right to social protest. The Commission further acknowledges the State's openness in the process of drafting this report and commends civil society on its involvement and contributions to the process of monitoring these recommendations.
A principal, autonomous body of the OAS, the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for and to defend human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.
No. 009/23
2:45 PM