Colombia withdraws from Equal Rights Coalition, sparking rights concerns

Colombia has withdrawn from the Equal Rights Coalition, a 44-country alliance promoting LGBTIQ+ rights, after holding the co-presidency alongside Spain since 2016. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Pedro Roa stated the government determined participation in the mechanism was not a priority.

The decision has drawn sharp criticism from civil society. Pacientes Colombia, representing 205 patient organizations, called it a political and institutional setback for LGBTIQ+ people and those living with HIV. The group urged President Abelardo de la Espriella to reverse the move.

“Withdrawing from an international human rights cooperation space is not a minor gesture; it reduces the State's capacity to dialogue, learn, build public policies and account for commitments that protect life, dignity and equality.”

Wilson Castañeda, director of Caribe Afirmativo, noted Colombia joined the coalition during the peace process and later assumed a leadership role. He said the coalition provided a space for dialogue and policy coordination among committed governments.

A 2018 national policy decree established commitments for institutional strengthening and barrier removal. Activists question how these obligations will be met without the international framework that supported their implementation.