Colombia

UN refugee agency concerned over attacks on rights workers in Colombia

24 December 2003
A spate of attacks on human rights workers and organizations in Colombia has prompted the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to call for an investigation.

Colombia: Annan calls for release of kidnapped persons and renewed dialogue

17 December 2003
As the holiday season approaches, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today called on the parties in Colombia's long-running civil conflict to release any civilians they have kidnapped and renew dialogue towards ending the violence.

Rural Colombians flocking to Bogotá need more help - UN refugee agency

9 October 2003
The number of people fleeing rural conflicts and taking shelter in Colombia's capital, Bogotá, has skyrocketed, but they have had little or no assistance with integration into city life, according to a report issued by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

UN expert in Colombia to examine right to education

1 October 2003
A United Nations expert is in Colombia to see how two cities there are observing the right to education despite the difficulties imposed by a decades-old conflict that has displaced two million people and killed tens of thousands across the country.

Annan reiterates offer to help Colombia reach negotiated solution to conflict

30 September 2003
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan met with President Alvaro Uribe of Colombia today and reiterated his commitment to assist the South American country in reaching a negotiated solution to the decades-old conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced 2 million more.

Colombia: Annan says communication from FARC-EP is 'positive'

19 July 2003
Secretary-General Kofi Annan “has been informed of the communication of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC-EP) and considers it to be positive,” a spokesman for the United Nations said today.

Annan urgently appeals to Colombian rebel groups to release all kidnapped

14 July 2003
On the second anniversary of the abduction of a former state governor in Colombia, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today urgently appealed to rebel groups to release all those kidnapped and end the "inhumane practice."

Colombia: UNICEF welcomes demobilization of 40 child soldiers

13 June 2003
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) today welcomed the release of 40 child soldiers by a paramilitary group in Colombia and is preparing to reintegrate them back into society with school as the top priority.

Colombia: civilians deliberately targeted in fight to control land, UN official says

12 June 2003
In Colombia, civilians are not only caught in crossfire, they are also directly targeted as part of a strategy to control land and routes, a senior United Nations relief official said today at the end of his three-day mission to that country.

UN official embarks on visit to assess humanitarian conditions in Colombia

9 June 2003
A senior United Nations relief official embarked today on a three-day mission to Colombia to assess the world body's response to the humanitarian situation in that conflict-torn country.