Speech #1100071716

In 1997. the Government of Colombia passed legislation known as Law 387. to guarantee rights and assistance to its internally displaced population. Since then. the Government of Colombia has expanded its ability to assist internally displaced people. but the constitutional court of Colombia has called the governments efforts to meet the basic needs of internally displaced persons insufficient. This resolution commends the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. the Colombian Catholic Church. and the Coalition for Human Rights and Internal Displacement for their initiatives in declaring the Year of the Rights of the Internally Displaced People in Colombia. It also encourages the Government of Colombia and international donor communities to prioritize the discussions of humanitarian assistance and internal displacement with the international donor community. especially within the context of the LondonCartagena Process. which set the scene for an international cooperation. in addition to guidelines and a mandate for working on bringing peace and stability finally to Colombia. House Resolution 426 also calls on the United States to increase emergency humanitarian assistance and to assist Colombias internally displaced people in rebuilding their lives in a dignified. safe and sustainable manner.