Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Mr Vice President,
We welcome the High Commissioner’s report on technical cooperation in Colombia.
New Zealand supports the recommendations made in the report, most notably that Colombia focus on redoubling efforts towards the implementation of the Truth Commission’s recommendations at the national level.
We are disappointed that the liquidity situation of the regular UN Secretariat budget has directly affected the capacity of OHCHR to provide all the technical assistance envisaged in the four areas identified in the Human Rights Council resolution 53/22.
Colombia requires the support of the international community in order to continue with the investigation of human rights violations and corruption, security sector reform, the protection of social leaders and human rights defenders, and the definition and development of a public policy for a culture of peace.
New Zealand strongly endorses continued technical assistance from OHCHR to support implementation of the recommendations in these four core areas.
Mr Salazar — how can New Zealand and the rest of the international community continue to support Colombia to make significant progress towards the implementation of the Truth Commission’s recommendations?
Thank you.