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The UN International Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equity in Law Enforcement on Thursday urged Colombia to ensure that its security and drug-control policies do not reinforce systemic racism against people of African descent.
The warning comes as Colombia faces pressure to strengthen its response to drug trafficking, armed groups and criminal organizations. The country has also said it will continue to cooperate with the United States in anti-drug operations, including through intelligence and technology support.
In its report following a visit to Bogota, Quibdo, Cartagena and Cali from 4 to 14 May, the Mechanism said systemic racism remains deeply rooted in Colombia’s law enforcement and criminal justice institutions. The experts said racial stereotypes continue to associate Afro-Colombians, especially young people, with criminality, drug trafficking and dangerousness. According to the report, these stereotypes can influence police stops, searches, fines, detention and access to justice.
The UN experts recommended a moratorium on police summons and related fines until their human rights impact is reviewed. They also called for the cancellation of outstanding fines that may be contributing to cycles of exclusion and criminalization among young Afro-Colombians.
The concern comes as Colombia’s cocaine economy continues to grow. According to a UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) survey released in October 2024, coca cultivation increased by 10 per cent in 2023 to 253,000 hectares. Potential cocaine production was estimated at 2,664 metric tons, a 53 per cent increase from 2022. The UNODC said potential cocaine production had increased for 10 consecutive years since 2013. Coca cultivation rose in 16 of Colombia’s 19 coca-producing departments, with Cauca and Narino accounting for half of the increase in cultivated areas.
Colombia’s government has argued that stronger action against drug trafficking is necessary. Interor Minister Armando Benedetti said the country would continue to coordinate with the United States in the fight against drug trafficking. Justice Minister Andres Idarraga said operations would target drug laboratories, criminal organizations and their camps, particularly along the Colombian-Venezuelan border.
The UN experts said security measures should not rely mainly on punishment, militarization, and incarceration. The experts warned about proposals to create “urban security defence units.” They said such units could increase racial profiling, stigmatization and police violence if they are not subject to clear legal safeguards, independent oversight and accountability. “Measures adopted in response must not reproduce longstanding patterns of racial exclusion and criminalisation,” Victor Rodriguez, a member of the Mechanism, said in the report’s accompanying statement.
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The warning comes as Colombia faces pressure to strengthen its response to drug trafficking, armed groups and criminal organizations. The country has also said it will continue to cooperate with the United States in anti-drug operations, including through intelligence and technology support.
In its report following a visit to Bogota, Quibdo, Cartagena and Cali from 4 to 14 May, the Mechanism said systemic racism remains deeply rooted in Colombia’s law enforcement and criminal justice institutions. The experts said racial stereotypes continue to associate Afro-Colombians, especially young people, with criminality, drug trafficking and dangerousness. According to the report, these stereotypes can influence police stops, searches, fines, detention and access to justice.
The UN experts recommended a moratorium on police summons and related fines until their human rights impact is reviewed. They also called for the cancellation of outstanding fines that may be contributing to cycles of exclusion and criminalization among young Afro-Colombians.
The concern comes as Colombia’s cocaine economy continues to grow. According to a UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) survey released in October 2024, coca cultivation increased by 10 per cent in 2023 to 253,000 hectares. Potential cocaine production was estimated at 2,664 metric tons, a 53 per cent increase from 2022. The UNODC said potential cocaine production had increased for 10 consecutive years since 2013. Coca cultivation rose in 16 of Colombia’s 19 coca-producing departments, with Cauca and Narino accounting for half of the increase in cultivated areas.
Colombia’s government has argued that stronger action against drug trafficking is necessary. Interor Minister Armando Benedetti said the country would continue to coordinate with the United States in the fight against drug trafficking. Justice Minister Andres Idarraga said operations would target drug laboratories, criminal organizations and their camps, particularly along the Colombian-Venezuelan border.
The UN experts said security measures should not rely mainly on punishment, militarization, and incarceration. The experts warned about proposals to create “urban security defence units.” They said such units could increase racial profiling, stigmatization and police violence if they are not subject to clear legal safeguards, independent oversight and accountability. “Measures adopted in response must not reproduce longstanding patterns of racial exclusion and criminalisation,” Victor Rodriguez, a member of the Mechanism, said in the report’s accompanying statement.
The post Colombia’s anti-drug policies could deepen racial discrimination, UN experts warn appeared first on JURIST - News.
Continue reading...
Note: We don't have any responsibilities about this news. Its been posted here by Feed Reader and we had no controls and checking on it. And because News posted here will be deleted automatically after 21 days, threads are closed so that no one spend time to post and discuss here. You can always check the source and discuss in their site.