I'd like to begin by saying that perhaps the most important thing that this government has done in the area of human rights is the peace process with the FARC that began four years ago.
President Santos, from the beginning of dialogue, put the victims at the heart of negotiations. That meant focusing on human rights and on individuals. For Colombia, the peace process was the first process in the world that began with looking at the victims, and a commission on truth. It lasted over 50 years and there were eight million victims.
Sadly, we have the highest rates of land mines as well. Over 60,000 people have disappeared. Many statistics have put Colombia in a bad position on the international stage in the area of human rights.
What is important to note is that Colombia's efforts in the area of human rights have focused on four aspects. The first is public policy. Colombia has had a human rights policy since 2014. It is for the period 2014 to 2034, the post-conflict period, where we'll be focusing on human rights. Human rights are included in the national development plan. The 32 ministries of Colombia have included human rights in their development planning, which means that efforts will be from the national to the municipal level.
We have provided reparations to over 600,000 victims since 2013, and Colombia has made impressive efforts in the area of protection. It has increased the budget for protection for victims.
Finally, there is the fight against impunity. Colombia is attempting to look at impunity for those who have violated human rights. In 2016-17, 50% of cases have gone through the justice ministry and the UN to improve investigation protocols. Of course, there is another 50% to clear up, but I think the conditions are there in Colombia. After 50 years of conflict, with deep social and economic wounds, this is an important advancement.
I'd like to conclude by saying one more thing. Colombia, as you know, like Canada, joined the human rights process of the UN. Last year Colombia was the first non-European country of the 14 that have presented an action plan in the area of human rights.
Just to mention an aspect that Colombia has looked at in this area, we have demonstrated to the international community that Colombia is doing things well, that it has the support of the UN for the ratification of the peace process, and that it has the support of the international community.
As Dean Allison has said, today, eight years later, you want to explore the possibility of increasing trade between our two countries, so I think that's a good signal.
Thank you.