Civil society organizations reject Alejandro Ordóñez as Ambassador of Colombia to the OAS

Washington, D.C. September 10, 2018.– More than 300 organizations and members from civil society today demanded that the Colombian State reconsider the recent appointment of Alejandro Ordóñez Maldonado as Ambassador for Colombia to the Organization of American States (OAS) ), based on questions regarding “his capacity to participate constructively in this important space of regional dialogue”.

The letter, addressed to President Iván Duque, listed as key points of concern the open rejection by Mr. Ordóñez of international organizations dedicated to the development of international and human rights law, among them the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and Inter-American Court of Human Rights which form part of the OAS’ core.

Additionally, the letter highlights how the Colombian Ambassador was charged for clientelistic practices by the State Council of Colombia in 2016, after having appointed to public positions the family members of people responsible for securing his reelection as Attorney General. These actions violated the Political Constitution of Colombia and, in accordance with resolutions issued by the IACHR “violated human rights and debilitated  democratic institutions”. As such, these charges should exempt him from representing his country in international positions.

Finally, the abuse of power by Mr. Ordóñez in his role as Procurator, in relation to sexual and reproductive rights, and the rights of LGBTI persons was also documented as were the actions which generated international responsibility for the Colombian State after Mr. Ordóñez irregularly dismissed in 2013 then-Mayor of the City of Bogotá Gustavo Petro Urrego.

The call for action is one of many other petitions that have questioned the appointment of Mr. Ordóñez to the OAS. It is expected that the State will provide a response in a timely manner in the coming days.