6. “China: Human rights lawyer extradited and detained: Lu Siwei”, 27 October 7. “Hong Kong: Case against 47 pro-democracy figures must be dropped as politically motivated trial begins”, 6 February 8. “Hong Kong: Arrests for possession of ‘seditious’ children’s books a new low for human rights”, 17 March 9. “Hong Kong: Same-sex marriage ruling a moment of hope for LGBTI rights”, 5 September COLOMBIA Republic of Colombia Despite peace talks and ceasefires, civilians continued to be affected by armed conflict and human rights violations, including huge numbers of people being forcibly displaced. The government failed to implement comprehensive police reform but presented regulatory changes on the use of force during protests. Indigenous Peoples, Afrodescendants and peasant communities continued to be disproportionately affected by armed conflict. Femicide remained a huge concern, as did violence against LGBTI people. The Constitutional Court confirmed the decriminalization of abortion up to 24 weeks, but barriers to access remained. Attacks against human rights defenders persisted and the government announced measures to protect them. Progress was made in investigations for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Barriers for Venezuelans trying to access international protection or alternative regularization mechanisms remained. BACKGROUND During 2023, the first year of Gustavo Petro’s presidency, armed groups strengthened and conflicts between them increased, while confrontations between the Colombian Armed Forces and armed groups decreased, according to the Ideas for Peace Foundation. Peace talks between the government and the National Liberation Army advanced and a six-month ceasefire was implemented in August. In May, a ceasefire between the government and the Central General Staff 134 armed group was partially suspended following the latter group’s killing of four Indigenous teenagers. In September, negotiations between the government and the Central General Staff resumed and a threemonth ceasefire was implemented. The government tried to open negotiations with six other armed groups, among them urban armed groups in Medellín, Quibdó and Buenaventura cities, and the Colombian Gaitanist Self-Defence Forces. Local elections were held in October, with some reports of violence in various regions of the country. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights declared that Colombia was responsible for the elimination of the Patriotic Union political party and human rights violations against more than 6,000 members and militants of the party, and their families, over a 20-year period. The government presented bills proposing social reforms on health, labour, pensions and education, but none had been approved by the end of the year. According to the World Bank, Colombia had one of the highest occurrences of extreme weather events in South America. Approximately 84% of its population was exposed to multiple climate hazards. The government started a consultation and implementation process for the gradual energy transition plan. The main objectives of the plan were increasing investments in decarbonization, gradual substitution of fossil fuel usage, and flexibilization of regulations for investments in renewable energies. EXCESSIVE AND UNNECESSARY USE OF FORCE Temblores NGO and the Institute for Development and Peace Studies reported 191 cases of police violence during the first year of President Petro’s government (August 2022 to July 2023), a 59% decrease compared with the previous year. Forty-three cases occurred in the context of protests. Racial profiling and policing continued to affect racialized groups. The State of the World’s Human Rights