Evidence of meeting #19 for Subcommittee on International Human Rights in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A video is available from Parliament.
7:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
Okay. Technology's a bumpy road.
You're saying that Mr. Guzman is coming on right now.
You have to unmute yourself, Mr. Guzman.
We cannot hear you, Mr. Guzman.
7:50 p.m.
The Clerk
All right, Mr. Chair. We'll work on this again in the background.
7:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
Sure.
We're moving to questions from members, and we'll begin with MP Sidhu for seven minutes.
7:50 p.m.
Liberal
Maninder Sidhu Liberal Brampton East, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to our witnesses, Mr. Pappier and Mr. Guzman, for being here today.
Thank you for sharing those insights, Mr. Pappier. It's very important for us to hear from you.
My question to you is this: How can Canada best support the leadership efforts of women social leaders as defenders of human rights? Could you provide some insight into that?
7:50 p.m.
Americas Senior researcher, Human Rights Watch
Thank you. This is a very important question.
I think there are two important aspects. First, public diplomacy works in Colombia and is very important. When we released our report, we had a meeting with the President, but we also a response from high-level authorities who seemed to be interested in the issue. At the same time, we had phone calls from mid-level, well-intentioned officials who said, “This is very important because it empowers those of us who want to do things the right way.”
I think my first message is that public diplomacy and speaking out about concerns in the human rights situation is very important.
Second, there are some government institutions that are doing a decent job in Colombia and are worth supporting through assistance from the Canadian government. For example, there is a unit in the Attorney General's office, the special investigations unit, that is doing a good and decent job. There's still room for improvement, but it's doing a decent job investigating cases of murder and killing of human rights defenders.
Finally, of course, there are lots of important women's rights group in Colombia that deserve support, that deserve recognition and that deserve funding. They do a very valuable, often very brave job and deserve to be supported by the Canadian government.
7:55 p.m.
Liberal
Maninder Sidhu Liberal Brampton East, ON
Thank you for that. It's very important. You mentioned that women-led organizations are doing tremendous work.
I know Canada is implementing roughly $5.5 million into a project called Women's Voice and Leadership. It's providing financial and technical support to 16 rural indigenous and Afro-Colombian women's rights organization and networks for five years. It's definitely important that we continue supporting these women-led organizations.
Mr. Pappier, what are the unique challenges and risks for visible minority and indigenous community leaders? I mentioned the support there, but I'd like to hear more from you.
7:55 p.m.
Americas Senior researcher, Human Rights Watch
Indigenous communities are disproportionately affected by the violence in Colombia. If you compare the figures of human rights defenders killed in Colombia, you see that although 3% of the population in Colombia is indigenous, more than 15% of the human rights defenders killed in recent years were members of indigenous communities.
You can find similar figures when it comes to Afro-Colombian communities. They're disproportionately affected by the levels of poverty in the country, and they're disproportionately affected as well by the levels of violence from armed groups.
7:55 p.m.
Liberal
Maninder Sidhu Liberal Brampton East, ON
Thank you for that.
In the months and years ahead, what do you see as key opportunities for social leaders? What do you have to say on that?
7:55 p.m.
Americas Senior researcher, Human Rights Watch
Would you mind clarifying your question?
7:55 p.m.
Liberal
Maninder Sidhu Liberal Brampton East, ON
Yes. You see this turmoil and you see violence. Where do you see these visible minority groups or indigenous community leaders fit into this scenario? What can they do to help?
7:55 p.m.
Americas Senior researcher, Human Rights Watch
This is a very important question. The indigenous communities are doing invaluable work. They are essentially risking their lives to fight drug trafficking, to fight armed cartels and make sure that they are not operating in their territories. That's exactly the reason they are being killed.
Their leadership is fundamental for Colombia. These indigenous and Afro-Colombian leaders play the role that state authorities should be playing in their rural and remote communities. Without them, most people would have nowhere to turn when they have their rights violated or they would have nowhere to turn for protection.
Their role in these communities is indispensable. They are attacked precisely because they are doing this job. That is the reason that international pressure is needed on the Colombian government: to make sure that these indigenous and Afro-Colombian leaders are being protected.
7:55 p.m.
Liberal
Maninder Sidhu Liberal Brampton East, ON
Thank you for that.
I want to hear more about your views on the implementation of a peace agreement between the Government of Colombia and the FARC, if you can provide some insights into that as well.
7:55 p.m.
Americas Senior researcher, Human Rights Watch
The peace agreement is a 400-page agreement with different chapters and sections. It's probably the most complex peace agreement in recent history. Essentially, what is happening in Colombia is that the Duque administration is implementing the parts of the agreement it agrees with, while neglecting, ignoring or dragging its feet to implement the parts of the agreement it does not agree with.
The government is certainly committed to implementing parts of the agreement that concern the demobilization of the FARC and it is certainly committed to implementing parts of the agreement that have to do with reintegrating former FARC fighters into society. They are doing commendable efforts in that regard, but when it comes to other aspects of the agreement—for example, the mechanisms created under the accord to protect human rights defenders and to protect communities at risk—the efforts are completely weak and insufficient, and that's part of the reason we are seeing an increase in violence and we are seeing so little protection for communities at risk.
8 p.m.
Liberal
Maninder Sidhu Liberal Brampton East, ON
Thank you for sharing that with us. I think I only have 20 seconds left, but I want to say thank you. To the witnesses, I want to share appreciation from all the members here, and for your taking the time.
We want to hear from Mr. Guzman. I hope he's able to join soon as well.
Thanks so much.
8 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
Thank you, MP Sidhu.
I believe Mr. Guzman is going to try again. He has a new mike.
Clerk, is that correct?
8 p.m.
The Clerk
Yes, that's correct.
8 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
Mr. Guzman, can you unmute, please? We can see if it works.
It is not working. I am moving to MP Reid for seven minutes.
8 p.m.
Conservative
Scott Reid Conservative Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
In the event Mr. Guzman does come back online during the period—
8 p.m.
Mario Gil Guzman Sociologist and Popular Educator, Assemblée populaire de colombiens et colombiennes à la Ville de Québec, Carrefour d'animation et de participation à un monde ouvert
Can you hear me?
8 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
Okay, was that good enough, Clerk? I'm not sure.
It didn't sound great, but....
8 p.m.
The Clerk
I'm not sure, but—
8 p.m.
Sociologist and Popular Educator, Assemblée populaire de colombiens et colombiennes à la Ville de Québec, Carrefour d'animation et de participation à un monde ouvert
Yes.
Can you hear me?