Colombia: Government must match impressive strategies with resources and implementation, says expert

BOGOTÁ – Colombia has taken important steps to protect the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other gender-diverse (LGBT) persons, but the country must make efforts to effectively address discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity, a UN expert said today.

“While serious challenges remain – including violence, stigma, and unequal socioeconomic outcomes for LGBT persons – I was encouraged by the stated commitment of national, regional, and local authorities to advance equality and tackle entrenched barriers,” said Graeme Reid, the United Nations Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, in a statement at the end of an official visit to the Colombia.

Reid highlighted the persistent gap between constitutional ideals and legal and policy protections on the one hand and lived realities of LGBT persons on the other. He noted that social attitudes often lag behind institutional progress, resulting in ongoing discrimination and violence – dynamics further compounded by the legacy of the armed conflict and the resurgence of illegal armed groups in certain regions.

“Despite these positive developments, many LGBT people continue to experience discrimination and violence in their daily lives,” Reid said. “This is particularly acute for trans women, who face a heightened risk of bias-motivated violence, often with impunity, as well as for LGBT individuals who experience intersecting forms of discrimination as migrants, Indigenous persons, youth, or persons with disabilities.”

“During the visit, I learned of two trans women who were killed in separate incidents – one immediately prior to my arrival, and another during the mission – underscoring the ongoing risks and vulnerabilities faced by trans individuals in particular,” the expert said.

During his visit, the expert met with national, regional, and municipal officials, civil society organisations, equality bodies, and individuals with lived experiences of violence and discrimination. He travelled to Bogotá, Cúcuta, Medellín, Cali, and Barranquilla.

He acknowledged Colombia’s notable progress in aligning laws, policies, and strategies with international human rights standards and welcomed the Government’s efforts to foster partnerships across different levels of government. “These initiatives represent important foundations for advancing equality,” he said.

The Independent Expert underscored the importance of strengthening data collection, analysis, and use – particularly data disaggregated by sexual orientation and gender identity – to more effectively inform public policy and guide resource allocation to communities most in need. Reid urged meaningful collaboration with civil society organisations in the development, implementation, and monitoring of such policies.

The Independent Expert will present a full report on his visit to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2026.