David Miliband

Foreign Secretary

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Wednesday 14 October, 2009

Colombia

Chris Bryant was in Colombia last week and had an important meeting with President Uribe.  Colombia produces the bulk of the cocaine that comes to the UK; it has the second highest number of internally-displaced people of any country in the world (after Sudan); and one of the highest number of Trade Unionists murdered. Its human rights record is a source of real concern.

Chris was able to push all these issues with the Colombian government.  At the end, he agreed a joint statement with the Colombian Foreign Minister covering human rights.  It quoted President Uribe as saying that "defence of human rights is a necessary and legitimate act of a democracy, and a country like Colombia is proud to be completely open to international scrutiny in this regard.”

This statement is an important benchmark. But there is also a critical need for these values to be pursued and upheld by all parts of Colombian society, and most importantly by government.

Posted at 16:39 14 October 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[2]

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Sir, countries like Columbia, Afghanistan and Afrikan nations needs special attention of world community. Columbian society needs good government which can understand the needs of their citizens. This nation's government should hear the voice their citizens coz citizens are the real decider of the fate of any nation. [ Prabhat Misra blog: http://twitter.com/prabhatmisra .]

Posted by Prabhat Misra on October 15, 2009 at 04:02 PM BST #

Dear David,my full respect to you for another splendid article.It's really sad to read that Colombia has the second highest number of internally -displaced people worldwide or one of the highest numbers of Trade Unionists killed.I also did not know that the bulk of the produced cocaine which comes to the UK has it's origin in Colombia.Therefore was the meeting of Chris Bryant with President Uribe not only important-it was urgent necessary.Respect also to Mr.Bryant that he agreed this joint statement with the Colombian Foreign Minister.To me is the most important point: Human rights.You're completely right that it's an important benchmark.Hope,that the described values will go on for last.To the benefits of the Colombian people and as another result to their society.Maybe it could also become an example for neighbouring states.Best wishes,Ingo-Steven Wais

Posted by Ingo-Steven Wais on October 22, 2009 at 05:44 PM BST #

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