Colombia

UN refugee agency ‘deeply concerned’ for indigenous community in Colombia

20 July 2004
The United Nations refugee agency today voiced “deep concern” for the safety of more than 1,200 indigenous people in northwest Colombia who have returned to the homes they fled in March because of fighting, calling on the government to protect them from irregular armed groups that still remain in the area.

UN agency reports new Colombian refugees arriving in Venezuela

9 July 2004
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has a team in Venezuela's border state of Apure evaluating the humanitarian and protection needs of around 200 Colombians who fled fighting in their home country earlier this week.

Colombia: UN starts social project to stem spate of indigenous suicides

2 July 2004
As rising numbers of young indigenous people from northwestern Colombia commit suicide, losing the will to live because of the country’s long-running civil war, the United Nations refugee agency has begun a social project with local spiritual leaders to try to halt the phenomenon.

As Colombia talks open, Annan urges respect for ceasefire

1 July 2004
As the Government of Colombia and paramilitary forces open formal talks today, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged full respect for the ceasefire as well as the concentration of forces in order to allow the discussions to proceed.