Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Colombia: Establishing Peace

Tuesday 13 June 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Kate Osborne asked what diplomatic steps are being taken to support the Colombian Government in establishing peace.
  • Kate Osborne inquired about technical and financial assistance to ensure all of Colombia's institutions support peace.
  • The UK Foreign Secretary met with President Petro and the Foreign Minister to discuss peace efforts.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kate Osborne Lab Jarrow and Gateshead East
Foreign Affairs
Context

The question arises from recent events in Colombia, including the rescue of four children in the Amazon. The previous government's human rights scandals and current challenges to President Petro's peace policy are also relevant.

Question

What diplomatic steps is he taking to support the Colombian Government to establish peace in that country? Colombia's Attorney General Barbosa was appointed under the previous government, who oversaw numerous human rights scandals. Barbosa is now harming President Petro's 'total peace' policy by blocking the lifting of arrest warrants that would enable some leaders to come to the negotiating table.

Answer from David Rutley

We share Colombia's delight for the rescue of the four children in the Amazon. We commend the efforts of all those who took part in the inspiring search and rescue. During his visit to Colombia last month, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met President Petro and Foreign Minister Leyva and discussed our ongoing support for the implementation of the 2016 peace agreement in Colombia. Through our conflict, stability and security fund, which has now committed £80 million since 2015, we will continue to support the implementation of the peace agreement and improved stability and security in Colombia.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific technical and financial assistance requested was not detailed.

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Q2 Kate Osborne Lab Jarrow and Gateshead East
Foreign Affairs
Context

Colombia's Attorney General Barbosa was appointed under the previous government, who oversaw numerous human rights scandals. The current challenge is that Barbosa is harming President Petro's 'total peace' policy by blocking the lifting of arrest warrants.

Question

As UN Security Council penholder for the Colombian peace agreement, what technical and financial assistance can the Government provide to ensure that all of Colombia's institutions are supporting peace?

Answer from David Rutley

As I have said, we are working very closely together at the highest level. The Foreign Secretary has met President Petro and the Foreign Minister to push the cause for peace, and I was fortunate to attend the UN Security Council in January. We want to continue to tackle the challenges in Colombia, working with our Colombian counterparts, and we have put serious investment into that cause to back up our penholder relationship.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific technical and financial assistance requested was not detailed.

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