44th Session of the UPR Working Group, Review of Colombia, Statement by Mr. TAKEUCHI Yasuaki (7 November 2023)

Thank you, Mr. Vice-President.
 
Japan welcomes the efforts and progress made by the Government of Colombia, especially since the inauguration of President Petro, to implement the National Human Rights Strategy and the Framework Plan for Implementation of the Final Peace Agreement.  
 
Japan also welcomes Colombia’s commitment to tackling discrimination against vulnerable groups, including women, indigenous communities and minority ethnic groups, and to implementing Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) to ensure that gender equality and women’s economic empowerment remain central in the negotiation of peace agreements.
 
Japan hopes that the Government of Colombia continues to take actions to improve the human rights situation in the country as exemplified by the creation of the Ministry of Equality and Equity.
 
In this regard, we recommend that Colombia takes additional steps to prevent the recruitment of children by armed groups and also to address violence and threats against human rights defenders.
 
We wish the delegation of Colombia every success in the review.
 
I thank you.