Francisco Santos Calderon, vice-president of Colombia

Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - The Human Rights Council has begun its 13th session in Geneva. A high-level meeting took place 1 March with the participation of the vice-presidents of Colombia and Spain, and the vice-prime ministers of Belgium and Equatorial Guinea, among other representatives.

The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, says the review seeks to “assess whether the fundamental principles of the Council have been solidly and consistently upheld.”

The presence of Colombia’s vice-president in Geneva is of special significance given that Colombia ranks among those countries with the most human rights violations reported. According to Amnesty International, “since 2003 paramilitary groups are responsible for the vast majority of human rights violations in Colombia.” Francisco Santos Calderon admitted that serious problems remain in his country but that there had been a reduction in “paramilitary assassinations,” and a strengthening of unions and democracy. Santos also criticized the United Nations for its inefficiency in judging human rights violations in Colombia.

The eighth edition of the Human Rights Film Festival, which serves as a platform between activists and filmmakers, also begins this week in Geneva.

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