Thank you, Mr. President

Albania thanks Madame Antonia Urrejola for the report and the update about the human rights situation in Colombia.

The human rights violations and the impact of territorial violence continue to remain a significant challenge. Abuses by armed groups, limited access to justice and high levels of poverty, especially among Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities, are also serious human rights concerns in Colombia.

The lack of a comprehensive state presence and territorial control juxtaposed to intensive activities by non-state armed groups and criminal organisations has favoured this violence across the country. The civilians caught in the crossfire suffer the most, facing forced displacement, confinement, assassination, dispossession of land, extortion, children recruitment, sexual violence, and trafficking.

Albania commends the progress of Colombia in implementing human rights provisions outlined in the 2016 Peace Agreement, despite the challenges ahead. The constructive dialogue continues to be of outmost importance in advancing the implementation of the Final Peace Agreement. We support the proposed National Development Plan and the prioritization given to rural reform and commend the work of the UN Verification Mission regarding the latter.

Albania unequivocally supports Colombia and the Colombian people in the endeavours to consolidate peace.

Thank you.