4.2.2. Torture

Table of contents

4.2.2. Torture

NGOs reported that, between January 2015 and June 2022, there were 495 cases of torture documented, half of which were allegedly committed by state agents and the other half by non-state armed groups or unknown agents.1118600 Torture was used by criminal and armed groups as a means of social control, intimidation of social leaders and human rights defenders, and as a form of discrimination.1119F601

There were several documented cases of torture by armed groups in 2023, including the rape and sexual abuse of children by the ELN. There were two alleged acts of torture by security forces, and a further 68 cases of excessive use of force by police against demonstrators in the same year.602 In its 2023 Concluding observations on the sixth periodic report of Colombia, the UN Committee Against Torture commented that there were serious allegations of torture, ill-treatment and sexual violence committed against detained persons in custody of the police.603 Between 2018-2024, the UARIV received 777 applications from persons who had suffered acts of torture, with 314 persons having benefitted from compensation since 2010.604

The Netherlands' 2024 report on Colombia noted that there is high impunity for torture, and cases often remain unpunished. No official figures exist, making it difficult to estimate impunity levels also.605 In addition, NGOs expressed concern about underreporting of torture.606

  • 600

    Colombian Coalition Against Torture, Alternative Report on the Sixth Periodic Report before the United Nations Committee against Torture, March 2023, url, pp. 7, 12

  • 601

    Colombian Coalition Against Torture, Alternative Report on the Sixth Periodic Report before the United Nations Committee against Torture, March 2023, url, pp. 13-14

  • 602

    USDOS, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2023 – Colombia, 22 April 2024, url, pp. 5, 6, 18

  • 603

    UNCAT, Concluding observations on the sixth periodic report of Colombia, 7 June 2023, url, para. 12

  • 604

    Colombia, Information received from Colombia on follow-up to the concluding observations on its sixth periodic report (CAT/C/COL/FCO/6), 10 June 2024, url, para. 51

  • 605

    Netherlands (The), Algemeen Ambtsbericht Colombia, June 2024, url, p. 104

  • 606

    Colombian Coalition Against Torture, Alternative Report on the Sixth Periodic Report before the United Nations Committee against Torture, March 2023, url, p. 5