22.04.2025 Statement by Denmark at the UNSC briefing on Colombia  

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Thank you, Mr. President,

Let me also thank Special Representative Massieu and Ms. Molano for their briefings today. I also welcome the participation of Her Excellency Minister Sarabia, Colombia’s Foreign Minister, in this meeting.

Denmark welcomes the important steps taken by the Colombian Government to implement the 2016 Peace Agreement.

The Government’s focus on comprehensive rural reform has shown progress, and we hope to see increased coordination and allocation of resources to accelerate implementation.

Mr. President, allow me to focus on three areas.

First, violence by non-state armed groups and criminal organisations continues to plague the lives of people across Colombia.

The rapid escalation of violence in Catatumbo earlier this year, which killed more than 60 people and displaced more than 50,000, must be condemned by this Council in the strongest terms.

We praise the Government’s quick response to the crisis, and the Pact announced to strengthen the presence of State institutions and the local economy. We also welcome the efforts of the UN Verification Mission which worked to de-escalate violence and evacuate vulnerable groups.

The security situation also remains critical in departments along the Pacific and South of the country. Women, social leaders, and human rights defenders are disproportionately targeted.

Full implementation of the Peace Agreement is key, including its gender provisions, to ensure peacebuilding is inclusive, with the equal and meaningful participation of women.

Establishing a comprehensive State presence in conflict-affected areas to provide services and protection to vulnerable groups is essential to prevent further crises.

We call on the Government to scale up their efforts to guarantee the protection of Former Combatants who have committed to the peace process. Their social, economic and political reintegration cannot be hindered by threats and violence.

Second, as we have heard today from Ms. Molano, children continue to bear the brunt of insecurity in Colombia.

Recruitment and use of children remain critical issues, with high levels recruited by armed groups last year, including girls for sexual exploitation. We call for the immediate release of these children and for their reintegration.

Children from Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities face heightened risks of violence, confinement and forced displacement due to armed clashes.

Stronger protection measures for children, particularly from rural communities, are urgently needed, as well as the full implementation of the Ethnic provisions of the Peace Agreement. The protection of the population, and specifically children and women, must be central to the Government’s negotiations with non-State armed actors.

Third, Denmark recognises the vital role of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace to deliver transitional justice to victims on all sides of this conflict.

Legal certainty for individuals under the SJP’s jurisdiction is long overdue.

Accelerated progress towards the issuance of restorative sentences is needed.  On that note, we welcome the recent efforts by the SJP to optimise investigations and expedite the issuance of sentences.

Mr. President, in closing,

The Final Agreement remains the key roadmap to build sustainable and lasting peace in Colombia.

Meaningful progress has been made over the past eight years, but more can and must be done. We urge the Government to accelerate implementation, and prioritise political dialogues with actors that have demonstrated their commitment to peace.

The united and resolute support from this Council remains vital.

Denmark looks forward to engaging with all Council members to this end. 

Thank you.