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RESOLUTION 1325
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Violence
against women in Colombia a continuing concern
The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), Women's Programme,
Press Release, 11 November 2003
The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) expresses its concern
regarding violence against women in Colombia at the 31st Session of
the UN
Committee against Torture Geneva, 11 November 2003
The UN Committee against Torture will today begin its examination
of the implementation of the International Convention against Torture
and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in Colombia.
In its alternative country report entitled "Violence against
Women in Colombia," which has been submitted to the Committee
against Torture, the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) expresses
its grave concern at reports of violence against women at the hands
of both private individuals and state officials.
Colombia has ratified major international and regional human rights
treaties, which prohibit discrimination against women, and has enacted
several laws purporting to guarantee women’s equality. However,
discrimination against women in Colombia persists and this discrimination
often manifests itself as gender-based violence. Women’s main
role is that of mother and caretaker, and they are often viewed as
sex objects, taught to be submissive from a very early age.
In Colombia, women especially experience gender based violence in
their families. With respect to domestic violence, as many as 41%
of women are victims of violence at the hands of their husbands or
partners. Although there is legislation specifically criminalizing
violence within the family, the overwhelming view is that domestic
violence should be treated as a “private” matter, meaning
that many women do not report this violence and those who do report
it may not press charges.
Women also experience sexual violence such as rape in Colombia, both
inside and outside the family. Specifically, statistics reveal that
at least 5.3% of women have been victims of sexual violence, and most
of these women knew their perpetrator. Like domestic violence, rape
is notoriously underreported. Adding to the physical and emotional
trauma of being raped, victims of this abuse face rejection and stigmatization
by their families because of cultural notions that link the family’s
honour to a woman’s sexuality. Furthermore, women are frequently
blamed for having “provoked” this sexual violence.
An internal armed conflict has been continuing in Colombia for about
40 years and women are also subjected to gender based violence on
account of this conflict. Women are targeted for being relatives or
otherwise associated with the “other” side and as human
rights defenders. When reports of violence against women by armed
combatants are filed with the police, there is reportedly little effort
to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators.
OMCT is also gravely concerned about the situation of women and girls
displaced by the conflict, who comprise the majority of displaced
persons in Colombia. Displaced women and girls are particularly vulnerable
to violence perpetrated by armed actors, who reportedly request that
parents offer their girls to the combatants for a weekend as a “community
service.”
Overall, the government has failed to protect women from violence
whether at the hands of private individuals or state officials. OMCT’s
report concludes that while Colombia has a duty under international
law to act with due diligence to prevent, investigate, prosecute and
punish all forms of violence against women, irrespective of whether
this violence is committed by public or private individuals, this
obligation has not been adequately implemented at the national level.
For copies of the alternative report on “Violence against Women
in Colombia” or for further information on OMCT’s programme
on Violence against Women please contact Lucinda O’Hanlon at
+ 41 22 809 4939 or loh@omct.org.
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