[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 426 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                         July 11, 2007.
Whereas Colombia has experienced the internal displacement of more than 
        3,800,000 people over the past 20 years, representing approximately 8 
        percent of Colombia's population;
Whereas Colombia's internally displaced population is one of the worst 
        humanitarian crises in the Americas, and the second largest internally 
        displaced population in the world, after Sudan;
Whereas more than 200,000 people continue to be displaced internally every year;
Whereas Colombia's internally displaced people are often forced from their homes 
        multiple times, and fear repercussions if they identify their attackers;
Whereas the International Committee of the Red Cross and the World Food Program 
        have found internally displaced people in Colombia to be poorer and more 
        disenfranchised than the general population, with 70 percent suffering 
        from food insecurity, inadequate shelter, or limited health care 
        services;
Whereas Afro-Colombian and indigenous peoples are disproportionately affected by 
        displacement, representing almost one-third of the internally displaced;
Whereas women and children also comprise a large majority of the internally 
        displaced;
Whereas very few internally displaced Colombians have been able to return to 
        their original homes due to ongoing conflict throughout the country, and 
        when returns take place they should be carried out voluntarily, in 
        safety and with dignity;
Whereas, in 1997, the Government of Colombia passed landmark legislation, known 
        as Law 387, to guarantee rights and assistance to its internally 
        displaced population;
Whereas the Government of Colombia has expanded its ability to assist internally 
        displaced people through its own agencies, and with the financial, 
        technical, and operational support of the international community;
Whereas the Constitutional Court of Colombia has handed down multiple decisions 
        recognizing the insufficient nature of the government's efforts to meet 
        the basic needs of internally displaced persons and upheld the 
        importance of implementing law 387 in light of the United Nations 
        Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement;
Whereas the Constitutional Court of Colombia, in consultation with the 
        Government of Colombia, civil society, and the United Nations, has 
        developed an extensive set of measurements to ensure government 
        compliance with Law 387;
Whereas the Government of Colombia, the international community, and civil 
        society are engaged in the London-Cartagena Process to develop 
        coordinated responses to domestic problems, including humanitarian 
        assistance and internal displacement;
Whereas the Government of the United States provides valuable, but limited, 
        humanitarian assistance through Plan Colombia, and has programs targeted 
        specifically for internally displaced people; and
Whereas the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres, on 
        a visit to Colombia in March 2007, urged greater attention to the issue, 
        stating that it should be a ``national priority'' and asked for 
        ``greater coherence'' in programs to address the needs of the internally 
        displaced: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved,  That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that--
            (1) the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Colombian 
        Catholic Church, and the Consultancy for Human Rights and Internal 
        Displacement should be commended for their initiative to declare the 
        Year of the Rights of the Internally Displaced People in Colombia;
            (2) the Government of Colombia and the international donor community 
        should be encouraged to prioritize discussion of humanitarian assistance 
        and internal displacement with the international donor community, 
        especially within the context of the London-Cartagena Process; and
            (3) the Government of the United States should increase the 
        resources it makes available to provide emergency humanitarian 
        assistance and protection through international and civilian government 
        agencies, and assist Colombia's internally displaced people in 
        rebuilding their lives in a dignified, safe, and sustainable manner.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.