HRC43: Oral Statement during ID with Special Rapporteur on HRDs

Agenda Item 3: ID with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders

Organisation: Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Speaker: Claire Denman

Thank you Madame President,

CSW welcomes the report of the Special Rapporteur and thanks him for his work.

The report rightly raises concerns regarding the situation of human rights defenders in conflict and post-conflict contexts.

CSW remains deeply concerned by violence against human rights defenders in Colombia. Throughout the country’s 50 year internal conflict, armed actors on all sides frequently targeted human rights defenders including religious leaders for assassination.

In the aftermath of the conflict, illegal armed groups continue to view human rights defenders including religious leaders, who often serve as de facto community leaders, as a threat to their power. Groups often attempt to force the cooperation of religious leaders in an effort to bring entire communities under their authority.

For example, on 10 August 2019 Pastor Plinio Rafael Salcedo was shot dead in an attack thought to be linked to a protest that took place two days prior to his murder, in which 1000 people from local Protestant and Catholic churches gathered to call for the restoration of peace in the region.

CSW calls on Colombia to conduct detailed investigations into all instances of threats, violence and harassment of human rights defenders including religious leaders in Colombia.

In Sri Lanka, journalists and human rights defenders have faced interrogation and harassment following the election of Gotabaya Rajapaksa in November 2019.

President Rajapaksa stands accused of overseeing war crimes during Sri Lanka’s armed conflict, in which numerous journalists were subjected to enforced disappearances and execution. His return to power has sparked fears that human rights defenders in the country will be targeted once again.

CSW calls on Sri Lanka to ensure that justice is served in all cases of violence against human rights defenders, both during the civil war and since, and to protect all those involved in the defence of human rights in the country today.

Thank you.