Spanish version, see below
Opening remarks by UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Flavia Pansieri at a press conference during her mission to Colombia Bogotá, 21 April 2015 I'm very happy to have undertaken this visit to Colombia, a country that I have visited several times in different capacities in the past. This time, as Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, I not only stayed in Bogotá but also had the opportunity to visit the departments of Putumayo and Cauca. I met with civilian and military authorities, several ministers, the High Counsellor for Human Rights, the Deputy Attorney General, the Public Defender, and other authorities. I also met with representatives of civil society and members of human rights organizations, including some who fought so hard for an office of the High Commissioner in Colombia, as well as members of the Agrarian, Ethnic and Popular Summit, women's organizations, indigenous, afrodescendants and peasant organizations. To all my interlocutors, I want to express my gratitude. Several members of the Government informed me on progress made in the protection and respect for human rights in the country. In this regard, I want to acknowledge the Government's efforts, in particular in their pursuit of a peace agreement that will end the armed conflict. The road to peace is a complex and winding one. It may move very fast at times and then stall. It is a road full of obstacles. However, despite setbacks, it is important to keep the ultimate objective in mind and not deviate from it. I am aware that not everyone is convinced that peace is the best option for Colombia. But it is clear that peace is the best – the only – option. Today, Colombia has a unique opportunity to evolve into a society where everyone enjoys their rights equally and without discrimination and where everyone enjoys the benefit of economic development. This is why I urge all parties to continue moving undeterred towards an end to this conflict and to set up the conditions for this transformation. I am conscious of the enormous challenges that exist. But I am convinced that with the