In November 2010, the Colombian State issued a joint declaration with representatives of civil society organisations and the international community stating its decision to support the construction, strengthening and implementation of a human rights and international humanitarian law policy, at the local, regional and national levels, under the leadership of the Government.
In addition to ongoing State actions to promote and uphold human rights, a National Human Rights Conference will be convened in December 2011 to define a common agenda and reach the above goal.
The event will conclude with the creation of a National Human Rights Commission, which will include representatives from the government, other state institutions and civil society organisations and will be supported and accompanied by the international community.
The Colombian State is pleased that, in its 2010 Report, the FCO highlights the ambitious reform programme being pursued by the current Government, which includes legislation to combat corruption, improve the judiciary, return land and provide reparation to victims, redistribute royalties and reform institutions, such as the creation of the Ministry of Justice, of Labour and of the Environment.
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Colombia’s Response to the FCO 2010 Human Rights Report.
Analysis of the security situation in Colombia in recent years.
Victims and Land Restitution Act
Approved by Congress on 24 May 2011 and enacted by President Juan Manuel Santos On 10 June 2011, The Victims’ and Land Restitution Act, recognises the status and dignity of victims by guaranteeing their constitutional rights, promoting equal opportunities and eliminating any form of discrimination, within the framework of transitional justice.
The law allows damages to be paid to relatives of those killed and seeks to restore an estimated 7 million hectares of stolen land to its rightful owners.
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Victims’ and Land Restitution Act.