Despite the commitment shown by the Colombian authorities in protecting the rights of victims of trafficking, the UN Special Rapporteur* on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, considers that this responsibility must be applied throughout the country, especially in rural areas. In addition, it has to be long-term and have the necessary resources.
“Human trafficking is committed by non-state armed groups and criminal organizations to sustain their activities and control the communities. It especially affects Afro-Colombian and rural communities, indigenous peoples and Venezuelan migrants,” said Siobhán Mullally after a nine-day visit to Colombia.
The expert also welcomed the Government’s commitment to respond to this problem based on human rights and the expansion of safe, regular and orderly migration, and urged the authorities to include the issue of human trafficking in the country’s Peace Policy.
“It is imperative that human trafficking be part of the Colombian Peace Policy discussions and that the ethnic chapter of the Final Agreement be implemented and strengthened to prevent trafficking, assist and protect victims, develop programs focused on and survivors and designed by them, as well as measures to combat impunity,” he said.
“The commitment to comprehensive rural reform, and to promoting the rights of women and rural communities is welcome, and essential for the prevention of human trafficking,” she added.
He also recalled that human trafficking is “a serious violation of human rights, a violation of international humanitarian law and a serious crime that undermines the consolidation of peace, sustainable development and social justice.”
Prevent the recruitment of minors
Mullally stated that conflict-related displacement contributes to increased risk of trafficking through loss of livelihoods, lack of shelter and the breakdown of community and family networks.
“Children and adolescents are the most affected and the increase in the recruitment and use of children by armed groups in recent years is a matter of grave concern,” he said.
He also called on the government to “proceed urgently” to take measures that prevent “the recruitment and use of all persons under the age of 18, especially in conflict zones.
Women and girls, in particular, are exposed to trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation by armed groups and criminal networks, said Mullally, who also praised the Colombian authorities for the Temporary Protection Status granted to Venezuelans, more than one million of which crossed Colombia.
Likewise, it urged the Government to address the delays in accessing documentation and obtaining protection status, especially by migrants in remote areas, and to pay special attention to unaccompanied children and adolescents separated from their parents. families, especially in border areas, where they are at high risk of trafficking and where services are limited.
Lack of resources for territorial authorities
“Safe shelter and protection measures are urgently needed, particularly in conflict-affected areas and in rural areas where Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities and communities affected by migration live“said the UN expert.
“The territorial authorities are underfinanced and do not have budgetary or human resources to assist victims. In the absence of assistance and protection, victims are vulnerable to re-victimization,” Mullally added.
During her visit, the Special Rapporteur met with survivors and victims of trafficking and human rights defenders in Bogotá, Cartagena, Cúcuta, Apartadó, Necoclí, Pasto and Ipiales.
The UN expert called for coordinated action by the Colombian authorities to guarantee effective investigations into human trafficking. It urged the Government to increase the presence of civil authorities in areas affected by violence by armed groups, expand the deployment and territorial capacity of the Office of the Attorney General of the Nation, and implement measures to respond promptly to early warnings from the Office of the Ombudsman. from town.
Lastly, it highlighted the need to guarantee access to reparations for all victims of trafficking, whether related to the conflict, forced recruitment, recruitment and use of children and adolescents, exploitation and slavery. sex, with forced labor, with domestic servitude and with imposed delinquency”.
*Special rapporteurs are part of what is known as Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN human rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent investigative and monitoring mechanisms that address specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. . Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent of any government or organization and provide their services in an individual capacity.
