Following on from the good news that a fresh peace deal has been signed in Colombia between the FARC guerrillas and the government, the EU is set to finally sign the EU Trust Fund for Colombia in December. This fund is part of a package of approximately EUR 600 million designated to assist Colombia in the transition towards building a peaceful society.
Despite the peace deal, however, the situation in Colombia is still quite dangerous for peace and human rights defenders, indigenous, environmental and campesino activists, and women in general. Violent gangs, often with links to the paramilitaries and police, are still involved in widespread criminality, extortion, intimidation and murder.
What guarantees can the Commission provide that the funds from this funding package will reach the intended targets, and go towards building peace and helping those that need it most?
What conditions, if any, are attached to the trust fund, particularly with regard to ensuring the safety of political, democracy and human rights activists in the coming period?