IACHR concludes working visit to Colombia on friendly settlements and precautionary measures

April 29, 2025

Washington, DC—The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has concluded the working visit it made to Colombia from April 22 to 25, 2025. The purpose of the visit was to monitor the government's progress on implementing reparation measures through Friendly Settlement Agreements and agreements to comply with recommendations in transitional justice cases. The IACHR also met with national authorities and parties involved in cases with precautionary measures. The delegation was led by IACHR President and country rapporteur Commissioner José Luis Caballero and Executive Secretary Tania Reneaum Panszi.

During the visit, the IACHR participated in 11 public and private events for the signing of agreements and official acknowledgments of international responsibility for serious human rights violations. The delegation also took part in a technical workshop for government officials. These events were attended by victims of human rights violations, their representatives, State officials, and the IACHR delegation.

On April 22, public ceremonies were held for several cases: Case no. 15.004 (Mercedes Montaña and family), involving enforced disappearance in 1987 (see related video; Case no. 13.318 (Rubén Darío Ocampo and others), regarding extrajudicial executions in 2003 (see related video); and Case no. 15.058 (Jesús Nazareno and family) and Petition 679-19 (Ricardo Manuel Banquet), both related to extrajudicial executions and failure to investigate (see related video). That same day, Commissioner Caballero attended the signing of six compliance agreements and an acknowledgment of responsibility, in line with recommendations from merits reports issued under article 50 of the American Convention on Human Rights.

On April 24, over 80 government officials participated in the 9th Training Workshop for Government Officials on Friendly Settlement Procedures. The event sought to strengthen institutional capacity and support the effective implementation of agreements.

The same day, the IACHR met with representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Protection Unit to discuss challenges and progress in implementing precautionary measures. Three working sessions were also held with beneficiaries, their legal representatives, and relevant State institutions in cases with precautionary measures involving human rights defenders and Indigenous peoples.

In addition, the IACHR led two workshops on the protection mechanisms of the Inter-American Human Rights System and their application. These sessions were held in Bogotá and Cali between April 22 and 26.

The IACHR thanks the National Legal Defense Agency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their support throughout the visit. It acknowledges Colombia's progress toward creating public policies centered on friendly settlements, which has led to tangible advances in restorative justice. The IACHR especially commends the critical role played by victims of human rights violations, whose courage and perseverance have been central to advancing transformative processes of truth, justice, and full reparation.

The IACHR is a principal and autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), whose mandate stems from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has the mandate to promote the observance and defense of human rights in the region and acts as an advisory body to the OAS on the matter. The IACHR is made up of seven independent members who are elected by the OAS General Assembly in their personal capacity, and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 083/25

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