Update

During the Second International Forum on Migration and Peace, held this week in Bogota with support from IOM, Colombia's Vice President Angelino Garzón expressed his government's commitment to the internally displaced population and reiterated their intention to work on the restitution of lands, in partnership with IOM Colombia.

An estimated three million hectares of farm land has been abandoned by persons fleeing the violence.

The two-day Forum, attended by government officials, international and nongovernmental organizations and organized by the Scalabrini International Migration Network with support from IOM, aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence in the framework of international migration and encouraging Latin American governments to implement policies to protect the human rights of migrants.

Regarding internal displacement, the discussions focused on violence and its direct impact on migration citing the case of Colombia, where some three million persons are internally displaced and living in conditions of extreme vulnerability.

Violence and lack of security and opportunities were recognized as the main reasons why nearly 4.5 million Colombians (10 % of the population) have chosen to leave the country.

Diego Beltrand, IOM Senior Advisor for the Americas, stressed that IOM's support has been of fundamental importance in structuring a policy to promote the human rights of migrants. "A year ago, a new migration policy for the Colombian State was approved, which received technical support from IOM in its design and formulation. The policy addresses border management, human trafficking and the diverse dimensions of migration management in Colombia, which are also key to building opportunities for peaceful coexistence".

For more information, please contact Jorge Gallo at IOM Bogota, Tel: +57 1 639 7777; Email: jgallo@iom.int