Por Redaccion 
The XXI Asturian Delegation of Human Rights in Colombia concludes its journey and highlights that the social fabric is very much alive despite the violence
March 21, 2025
The participants release a final statement detailing their encounters with social agents and the persecution suffered by some groups
The XXI Asturian Delegation of Human Rights and Peace in Colombia 2025, which has been conducting visits to various locations in the country since March 9, meeting with humanitarian associations and groups of indigenous people, workers, defenders of social and cultural rights, concluded their journey in Bogotá with a final declaration expressing their «admiration for the Colombian people for the massive expression of support for the social reforms proposed by the government and demanded for decades by the popular movement.»
The extensive 52-point declaration detailing the agenda of meetings and visits mentions that the Asturian delegation witnessed massive demonstrations across the country last Tuesday, indicating that Colombia and its social fabric are very much alive on the streets. The systematic violence and terror unleashed for decades have not succeeded in disorganizing the communities, nor have they managed to halt the massive mobilization expressing an unwavering determination to fight for improving the quality of Colombian democracy and achieving peace with social justice.
Agustín Medina, the Cooperation Councilor of the Avilés City Council and a member of the delegation, stated before returning to Asturias that «we have met with social movements, trade unions, youth and women’s associations, farmers, indigenous groups, human rights defenders, displaced persons, and many more during this time.»
According to the Cooperation Councilor, the situation is marked by violence and suffering as these associations have suffered casualties caused by armed groups and drug trafficking. Additionally, there are numerous labor and environmental conflicts. He also mentioned the hope of the Colombian people for a progressive government to emerge from the 2026 elections that will further promote equality and rights.
The final declaration released by the delegation acknowledges the individuals who risk their lives defending Human Rights and the environment in the territories visited between March 10 and 17, including municipalities such as Barrancabermeja, Puerto Wilches, San Pablo, Santa Rosa del Sur, Aguachica, Cúcuta, Bucaramanga, El Socorro, Chimichagua, Valledupar, San Juan del Cesar, Fonseca, Manaure, and Riohacha.
It is worth noting that the delegation had the following objectives:
1. Continue direct observation in Colombia of the state of Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law, the peace agreement with the FARC, the armed conflict with the ELN, the FARC Dissidents, and paramilitary groups.
2. Compare the findings of fieldwork on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law with the Colombian government, the Spanish embassy, and the UN Human Rights system, assessing compliance with the recommendations of the International Human Rights System and commitments to social organizations and victims of the armed conflict.
3. Interview individuals who have been assisted by the Asturian Human Rights Program.
4. Disseminate the findings of the Asturian Delegation in Europe and unite voices for peace, human rights, and social justice.
*You can read the complete final declaration at the following link:
Members of the XXI Delegation:
1. Juan Antonio González Ponte – Director General Agenda 2030 of the Government of the Principality of Asturias
2. Delia Campomanes Isidoro – Deputy in the General Assembly of the Principality of Asturias
3. Carlos Meana Suárez – Labor lawyer, Soldepaz Pachakuti
4. Eva Pérez Fernández – Izquierda Unida Avilés
5. Agustín Medina Martínez – Councilor for Social Welfare and Cooperation of the Avilés City Council
6. Claudia Lera García – President of the Youth Council of Asturias, CMPA
7. María Isabel González Castillo – Vice President of the Youth Council of Asturias, CMPA
8. Juan José Fernández Fernández – Coordinator of Izquierda Unida Avilés
9. Francisco Antonio Ramos Muñiz – Ecologists in Action of Asturias, Ecoloxistes n’Aición d’Asturies
10. Cayetana Leonor Junquera Martínez – Asamblea Moza de Asturias, AMA
11. Celia Lejarza Portilla – Asamblea Moza de Asturias, AMA
12. Valentín Brugos Salas – Intersindical Confederation
13. María del Pilar Miguel González – Suatea-Intersindical
14. Veronica Álvarez Cachafeiro – General Directorate of Agenda 2030 of the Government of the Principality of Asturias
15. Faustino Loy Madera – FiloPueblos Association
16. Pedro Manuel Menéndez González – Journalist at the Radio of the Principality of Asturias, RPA
17. María Cruz Cuevas Canal – Asturian Coordinator of NGOs
18. María Ángeles Fernández Martín – Reception Network of Leganés
19. Ignacio Loy Madera – CCOO Asturias
20. Javier Alfonso Orozco Peñaranda – Coordinator of the Asturian Human Rights Program
21. Francisco Javier Arjona Muñoz – Soldepaz Pachakuti
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