Exciting News!  Colombian Caravana UK was honoured to accompany Reynaldo Vargas Villalba, a distinguished lawyer and human rights defender from Colombia, last week. Peace Brigades International PBI-UK organised the event with Reinaldo Villalba CAJAR. His visit to the UK...

Do you believe in human rights and access to justice? Support the work of the Colombian Caravana this #GivingTuesday. In Colombia human rights lawyers and defenders operate at a high risk of violence, intimidation and even assassination. Without their...

Passionate About Human Rights? Ready to Make an Impact? Colombian Caravana is Calling for Trustees! Do you envision a world where lawyers and human rights defenders can carry out their crucial work without fear? Are you committed to fundraising...

Colombian Caravana is looking for a UK-based coordinator with experience in fundraising,  organisational development and commitment to human rights in Colombia. Bilingual in Spanish and English. We want to thank Carme for her outstanding work; she is still with...

The theme of the VII International Caravana of Jurists was the need for judicial independence to combat impunity and guarantee access to justice and dignity for victims and survivors and for human rights lawyers and defenders to be able...

On 28 June, the Shadow Report of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on Colombia was presented in Brussels, in whose elaboration Colombian Caravana participated, as we are members of the international platform OIDHACO (International Office for Human Rights –...

The Colombian Caravana was honoured to receive last week the 2023 ‘Valors’ award by the Council of Catalan Bars (Consell de la Advocacia Catalana) under its 10th edition for its continued support to the legal profession and those who...

If you haven’t donated already, please don’t forget. The link is here. Any donations are highly welcome! Step Out, Stride, Slog or Saunter for the Colombian Caravana! On Saturday, 20th May, members and supporters of the Caravana will be donning...

Catherine Bermeo Alban, Luiz Fernando Marchiori de Melo and Mafalda Maria Oliveira Fernandes De Menezes Falcao, members of the Colombia Caravana Human Rights Clinic at London South Bank University, wrote about The Tribunal Popular de Siloé: The Tribunal is...

Established in 2010, this date was chosen due to it being the anniversary of the Massacre of Atocha where, on the 24th January 1977, four lawyers and a colleague were killed in their office in Madrid, Spain after an...

We need your help!  We are taking part in Giving Tuesday on Tuesday 29th of November.  Giving Tuesday is a global movement promoting good causes and we need the support of our members to promote the work of the Caravana...

Bogotá, 28 August 2022 – The VII International Caravana of Lawyers and Judges with 18 delegates from international organizations: Fédération des Barreaux d’Europe, International Observatory of Lawyers at Risk (OIAD), Unión Internacional de Abogados, Lawyers for Lawyers, Judges for...

On 26 August 2022, at around 11 a.m., approximately 60 soldiers of the Army’s Batallón Especial Energético y Vial No. 3 “General Pedro Fortul” surrounded the community of 20 de Julio which is adjacent to the Pitalito community of...

Colombian Caravana together with ABColombia, PBI-UK and the International Office for Human Rights Action on Colombia (OIDHACO), write to the Attorney General of the Nation, Mr Francisco Barbosa Delgado, to express our concern about the recent death threats and...

The Colombian Caravana, together with ABColombia have filed an amicus at the Colombian Constitutional Court in a claim brought by the Wayúu indigenous communities of Paradero and La Gran Parada against Carbones del Cerrejón Limited, the National Environmental Licensing Authority,...

Join us for the Sponsored Walk on Saturday, 21 May 2022, and Step Out, Stride, Slog or Saunter to support Colombian Caravana and Colombian human rights  defenders.  The 10km walk will start at 3.30 pm at Colombia Embassy 3 Hans...

After the visit of president Duque to the European Union Parlament, we added our concern to the joint letter promoted by OIDHACO addressed to the European Authorities about their public declarations issued after the VII High-Level Dialogue and the XIII...

International observers conclude their observation of the ‘12 apostles’ case On 10 February 2021, the Special Court for Serious Crimes in Medellín, Colombia, concluded final hearings in the case of Santiago Uribe Velez, who is accused of 512 serious crimes,...

On 1 December we are joining Giving Tuesday, a global generosity movement. It’s time to support charities, for Christmas’ sake! In the spirit of the festive season, we encourage you to DONATE or pick a challenge and FUNDRAISE with the Caravana....

Colombian Caravana and ABColombia today have filed an Amicus Curiae before the Court of Execution of Penalties and Security Measures number 20 of Bogotá, in the process of the enforcement of the second, fourth, fifth and eighth orders of...

International organisations are seriously concerned about allegations of illegal surveillance allegedly perpetrated by the Colombian state, on at least 130 individuals including lawyers of the José Alvear Restrepo Collective (Colectivo de Abogados José Alvear Restrepo – CCAJAR), lawyers of...

International organisations and individuals are seriously concerned about the situation of access to justice and the exercise of the legal profession, in particular for the defence of human rights, that has worsened by the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic....

We would like to invite you to an online event with Colombian Lawyer at risk, Danilo Rueda on Thursday, 2nd July at 6pm UK time. This event is co-hosted by the Colombian Caravana, ABColombia, Peace Brigades International UK (PBI UK); with the collaboration...

  This Sunday would have been the London Marathon, the world’s biggest fundraiser, so to make up for it charities are coming together this weekend for the 2.6 challenge and anyone can get involved! Just decide what you want...

The Colombian Caravana sent a letter to the Attorney General of Colombia due concerns about threats and harassment towards Nabil Quijano, who was allegedly subject to harassment by National Police Officers in Bogotá on 20 January 2020. Read the letter...

EVENT POSTPONED In light of the current public health situation regarding COVID-19, we have decided to postpone the fundraising event ‘Does trial observation matter?’, programmed for next Wednesday, 18 March. We are very sorry for any inconvenience or disappointment...

International organisations are seriously concerned about worrying death threats made against Colombian human rights lawyer, Adil Meléndez Márquez. Mr Meléndez believes that these threats made against him are directly linked with his work as a lawyer representing victims of...

**COMUNICADO DE PRENSA: PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDITA** Medellín, Colombia 15 de enero de 2020 Abogados internacionales observan el juicio de Santiago Uribe Vélez sobre los “12 Apóstoles” Representantes de la Caravana Colombiana (Colombian Caravana) están en Medellín para continuar con...

The Colombian Caravana is concerned by recent reports of public accusations made against the Committee of Solidarity with Political Prisoners (CSPP) and in particular against its president, the lawyer Franklin Castañeda Villacob, by state officials and members of the...

  The Caravana is extremely concerned regarding further threats and harassment of Leonardo Jaimes Marín, other members of Equipo Jurídico Pueblos, and other human rights defenders. We are worried about the continued reported acts of persecution, surveillance, and stigmatisation of lawyers...

We are delighted to invite you to an informal event with Colombian human rights lawyer, Adil Meléndez. Monday, 9th December at 6.30pm Please RSVP for more information: colombian.caravana@gmail.com This is a great opportunity to hear Adil’s expertise and unique experience representing cases...

    On 27 May 2019, it was announced that Colombian human rights lawyer Rommel Durán Castellanos had won the 24th Ludovic Trarieux Prize. On 8 November, at the official award ceremony Rommel was personally presented with his prize...

  **JOINT PRESS STATEMENT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE** Medellín, Colombia, 11 November 2019 International lawyers observe “12 Apostles” trial of Santiago Uribe Vélez Representatives from the Colombian Caravana (UK) and the Bar...

  The Caravana is seeking two new trustees. One with a particular focus on events and supporter fundraising to support our fundraising efforts. The other one with a particular focus on development and institutional fundraising (could include grants, high-net-worth...

The Caravana is very concerned about the murder of Paula Andrea Rocero Ordóñez, local ombudsman of the municipality of Samaniego and human rights lawyer. She was murdered on 20 May 2019 whilst driving home in Samaniego, Nariño. Ms Rocero was shot...

Join us to walk in support of human rights defenders in Colombia. The 10km walk will start at Millennium Bridge, meeting at the HSBC gates on the north side just before the bridge. The walk will take us along...

We are extremely concerned to hear that human rights lawyer Juan Bautista Rivas Ramos was forced to leave Colombia for the United States of America due to continued threats and harassment, including surveillance, harassing phone calls, and death threats....

**JOINT PRESS STATEMENT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE** –  Spanish version at the end of the document –   Medellín, Colombia 10 April 2019   International lawyers observe “12 Apostles” trial of Santiago Uribe Vélez   Representatives from the Bar Human...

The International Caravana of Jurists travelled to Colombia at the beginning of September 2018, to ascertain the impact that the peace process has had on the work of human rights lawyers and the dynamics of the conflict. Since 2008,...

  The Colombian Caravana, the Foundation of the Spanish National Bar Association (Fundación de la Abogacía), the International Observatory of Lawyers, Lawyers for Lawyers and Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada, concerned about the downscaling of protection measures provided to human...

The Caravana sent a letter to the Colombian General Prosecutor concerned for the impunity regarding the assassination of human rights lawyer Domingo José Rivas Coronado. We are very concerned that there is continued impunity in the case of the murder...

Colombian Caravana writes a letter to Colombian Authorities concerned for further threats and harassment towards Ms Gloria Silvia and members of Equipo Jurídico Pueblos (EJP) and other human rights defenders. The Caravana urged the Attorney General to take steps to...

(en español a continuación)   Medellin, Colombia 6 December 2018   International lawyers attend hearings to observe the trial of Santiago Uribe Velez in the case of the alleged paramilitary group the “12 Apostles”   The Colombian Caravana has...

In Colombia, violence is escalating. For human rights defenders and community leaders, attacks and threats are part of their day-to-day lives. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Join with others around the world today and together we will...

Are you an accounting professional looking to put your skills to good use? Do you believe that legal professionals should be able to exercise their profession without facing harassment, threats, and violence? Do you value the legal frameworks that...

Save the date! On November 28, the Colombian Caravana is organising Out Loud for Colombia at East London’s independent arts centre Rich Mix. This celebratory fundraiser will support the vital work of human rights lawyers and defenders. Come grab...

The Caravana sent a letter of concern regarding the murder of Carlos Jimmy Prado Gallardo, human rights defender and social leader from the department of Nariño. Carlos had previously approached the Colombian Prosecutor’s Office in relation to death threats...

An Early Day Motion (EDM) has been tabled in the UK parliament which supports the Caravana‘s call to support the peace agreement and to protect lawyers, judges and human rights defenders in Colombia, given the concerning rise of violence against...

Letter of support of the peace process in Colombia and of concern for the high levels of violence against human rights defenders and social leaders. As members of the international community, we state our support for the Peace Accords and...

VI Caravana Internacional de Juristas a Colombia 1-8 septiembre 2018 Transición a la paz: ¿exitosa o en peligro? A invitación de los abogados y las abogadas defensores y defensoras de derechos humanos de Colombia, tendrá lugar la sexta Caravana...

What is the context for lawyers in Colombia as elections loom and the peace agreement remains precarious?   Hear from Colombian lawyer, Luis Guillermo Perez from CAJAR, and from UK-based human rights lawyers about why international solidarity is as...

Colombian Caravana member, David Palmer, attended a roundtable meeting with the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó on 13 February organised by Peace Brigades International UK. In this guest post, he gives an account of some of the...

Rommel Durán Castellanos is a human rights lawyer and defender, president of Corporación Equipo Jurídico Pueblos. His brother Eduardo Andés Martínez Castellanos was murdered on 17 January 2016, but he has no information on the progress made in the...

We are pleased to invite you to two public events to meet Rommel Duran Castellanos, Colombian human rights lawyer and defender at risk, president of Corporación Equipo Jurídico Pueblos (The Peoples’ Legal Team). This will be a unique opportunity to...

Letter of concern regarding the killing of two land claimant leaders. The first killing was on 26 November 2017, the victim was Mario Castaño Bravo, a land claimant leader of Curvaradó. He was killed in La Larga Tumaradó territory....

64 International organisations, including the Colombian Caravana, have joint a Peace Brigades International letter to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, concerned primarily with the security guarantees of members of the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó, following...

Caravana, War on Want and University of Sussex wrote to the National Protection Unit (UNP) requesting protection measures for Gilberto Torres. Gilberto is a union leader of Unión Sindical Obrera de la Industria del Petróleo (USO) who was kidnapped by paramilitaries in...

In May Colombia’s human rights record will be reviewed by all UN member states through the Human Rights Council mechanism, the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). Colombia will declare what action it has taken to improve the human rights situation and to fulfill its human...

On 2 October 2017, Piergiuseppe Parisi and Gareth Sims presented a paper titled ‘Hindrances to Access to a Remedy in Business-related Cases in Colombia: The Case of Gilberto Torres’ at the conference The Responsibility of Home States, the European...

We are celebrating the first anniversary of the peace agreement with a fundraiser concert on Thursday 23rd November at The Victoria. Really amazing artist will be sharing their music in solidarity with Colombia: Slip Digby (click on the name to...

Oidhaco and some member organisations have released a public statement on violence committed against peasant farmers protesting in Tumaco on 5th October 2016, which resulted in 6 dead and 20 injured. Land farmers were protesting against the forced eradication of coca crops and demanding the implementation of the National Comprehensive Program for the Substitution of Crops for...

Caravana and other organisations part of the International Caravana of Jurist concerned to hear about aggressions towards human rights lawyer Soraya Gutierrez Arguello. The Colombian Caravana UK Lawyers Group and other  are very concerned to hear of further threats and harassment towards human...

During our last delegation, the Caravana was informed about security incidents that have taken place since 2005 against CCALCP members as well as their offices and infrastructure in Cúcuta and Bucaramanga. Over forty incidents of attacks and other threats...

As the members of the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (Fuerzas Revolucionarias de Colombia – FARC) are handing over all of their weapons, which was a key condition in last year’s peace accord, dedicated Colombian human rights lawyer Olga Silva...

Caravana and other five international organizations concerned about risks faced by Equipo Jurídico Pueblos, including recent detention of human rights lawyer Rommel Durán and other two human rights defenders The Caravana and five other international organisations (all of whom are members...

Do not miss this article published at the Solicitors Journal by young Caravanista Rishi Joshi, reflecting on Jorge Molano’s recent talk at the Law Society on the current situation for lawyers and access to justice in Colombia. “It’s all...

The Caravana and five other international organisations (all of whom are members of the International Caravana of Jurists) are concerned about the increase of threats and aggression towards a group of lawyers named Equipo Juridico Pueblos, and about the lack of adequate protection measures...

Human Rights lawyer Jorge Molano, from Colombian law firm and NGO dhColombia – Red de Defensores y Defensoras de Derechos Humanos – spoke at the Law Society of England and Wales on 17th May 2017, invited as part of...

Along with five other organisations of lawyers around the world that are part of the International Caravana of Jurists, the Caravana has sent a letter to the Colombian Public Prossecutor Office (Fiscalía) in support of Equipo Juridico Pueblos’ request...

The Caravana is concerned about Gilberto Torres’ safety and has written to the Colombian authorities in support of his request for protection measures. Gilberto is a union leader of Unión Sindical Obrera de la Industria del Petróleo (USO) who was kidnapped by...

The Caravana, along with 34 lawyers’ organisations around the world, have sent an urgent alert to the Colombian authorities regarding their serious concern about threats and attacks against lawyers in Cali, Valle del Cauca department, including the killing of lawyer Jhon Fredy...

The Caravana has submitted a letter to the Colombian government concerning the brutal murder of community leader Emilsen Manyoma Mosquera and her partner Joe Javier Rodallega in Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca. “We call upon the Government to make a...

The Caravana has recently submitted a written intervention in a case before the Consejo de Estado concerning the public’s right to access information held by the intelligence services. The challenge has been brought by a Colombian legal NGO, Dejusticia...

In Colombia, it is precarious work representing victims of human rights violations and their families who have for many years demanded that their fundamental right to the truth be respected. Lawyers and human rights defenders who work tirelessly seeking effective...

The Colombian Caravana are members of Oidhaco, a European-wide human rights network. Read the network’s statement welcoming the start of peace negotiations between the Colombian government and the ELN guerrilla group. Tweet

Consultancy – Caravana Project Management 2017-18 The Colombian Caravana is seeking a freelance consultant to project manage and coordinate crucial elements of our strategy for 2017-18. Are you highly self-motivated, fluent in Spanish and English, with great relationship management...

The International Office for Human Rights – Action on Colombia (OIDHACO) expresses grave concern regarding the wave of violence perpetrated against human rights defenders (HRDs), social leaders and members of political movements during the first weeks of 2017, leaving...

On 23 January 2017, the Caravana along with 94 organisations around the world condemn the assassination of social leader Aldemar Parra García in the mining region of Cesar and urge the Colombian authorities to not treat it as an isolated incident, and to...

This report, written by Paul Joffe, highlights the minimum standards for indigenous peoples’ rights, by analysing the interaction between the American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (adopted in 2016 by the OAS) and the UN Declaration on the Rights...

An Early Day Motion (EDM) has been tabled supporting the Caravana‘s call for the protection of lawyers, judges and human rights defenders in Colombia, and supporting the recommendations of the Caravana’s recently-published 2016 report. Read the text of the...

The Inter-American Court of Human rights has found the Colombian state responsible for human rights abuses committed during the October 2002 Colombian military operation in the Comuna 13 marginalised district of Medellín, known as “Operation Orion”. The state affirmed that the aim of...

The Caravana are members of the OIDHACO network of 35 organisations working in Europe for Human Rights in Colombia. On the International Human Rights Day, OIDHACO and its members issued a statement expressing their deep concern about the wave...

The launch of our fifth report was a success. We not only brought together around 100 people and invited Reynaldo Villalba, an eminent Colombian human rights Lawyer, to present the current situation of human rights lawyers in Colombia but also...

In August 2016, Caravana delegates Elisabeth Andresen and Emily Soothill, visited the Palogordo prison– 21 km away from Bucaramanga, as part of the regional visit of the International Caravana of Jurists to Bucaramanga. They  had the opportunity to meet with human rights lawyers...

The Colombian government and the Farc rebel group announced a new peace agreement, six weeks after the original deal was rejected in a popular vote, and signed last 24th of November at the Teatro Colón in Bogotá. The agreement...