Congressional Human Rights Caucus (CHRC)
Members’ Briefing:
The Suffering Continues:
Internally Displaced People in Colombia
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
10:00 – 11:30 am
2255 Rayburn HOB
Please join the Congressional Human Rights Caucus for a Members’ Briefing on one of the most vulnerable population within Colombia, the estimated 1.5 to 3 million internally displaced people (IDPs). The briefing will take place on Tuesday, July 22, at 10:00 am in room 2255 Rayburn. The event is open to the public and the media.
CHRC Co-Chairman Rep. James P. McGovern will chair this important briefing.
The bloody 40-year internal conflict in Colombia between paramilitaries, guerilla groups and the Colombian army has caused massive displacement within this country, creating almost 300,000 new IDPs in 2007, and more than 110,000 in the first three months of 2008 alone. In addition, UNHCR estimates that about 500,000 Colombians have sought refuge in neighboring countries, and therefore fall under their refugee protection mandate.
The victims of displacement are frequently the most vulnerable populations in Colombia, including Afro-Colombians, children who face forced recruitment by irregular armed groups, indigenous groups and females at risk of violence and sexual exploitation.
Recognizing this crisis, the Colombian government has passed laws to address this serious situation and has significantly increased its budget for the assistance and protection of IDPs. Most notably, Acción Social, the Colombian agency responsible for IDPs, has developed plans on the national level in response to massive displacement, and has proposed long-term solutions. However, the implementation of these new laws falls far short of expectations and is vexed by corruption and uneven execution on the local level due to a lack of effective monitoring mechanisms.
The briefing will include an overview by UNHCR’s Regional Representative for the United States and Caribbean of the agency’s work in Colombia, and will present the findings of a recent mission to Colombia by Refugees International. In addition, one of the most highly regarded non-governmental organizations in Colombia, CODHES, will share policy recommendations for the better protection of Colombia’s internally displaced people with the Caucus.
To discuss these important issues, we will welcome as expert witnesses:
Michel Gabaudan, UNHCR Regional Representative for the United States and Caribbean.
Marco Romero, President, CODHES
Andrea Lari , Senior Advocate, Refugees International