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Additional Resources

Immigration Detention through the Lens of International Human Rights: Lessons from South America – Global Detention Project Working Paper No. 23

September 2017

Colombia Immigration Detention

Quick Facts

International migrants (2015): 133,100
New asylum applications (2016): 399

Centres List

No detention centres data available

Statistics Expand all

A. Detention, expulsion, and incarceration statistics

119,269

Criminal prison population

2017

Criminal prison population

Number	Observation Date
119,269	2017
International Centre for Prison Studies (ICPS). Undated website. "World Prison Brief." http://www.prisonstudies.org/world-prison-brief
119,815	2014
International Centre for Prison Studies (ICPS). Undated website. "World Prison Brief." http://www.prisonstudies.org/world-prison-brief
120,032	2013
International Centre for Prison Studies (ICPS). Undated website. "World Prison Brief." http://www.prisonstudies.org/world-prison-brief
84,444	2010
International Centre for Prison Studies (ICPS). Undated website. "World Prison Brief." http://www.prisonstudies.org/world-prison-brief
63,603	2007
International Centre for Prison Studies (ICPS). Undated website. "World Prison Brief." http://www.prisonstudies.org/world-prison-brief
68,020	2004
International Centre for Prison Studies (ICPS). Undated website. "World Prison Brief." http://www.prisonstudies.org/world-prison-brief
49,302	2001
International Centre for Prison Studies (ICPS). Undated website. "World Prison Brief." http://www.prisonstudies.org/world-prison-brief
44,398	1998
International Centre for Prison Studies (ICPS). Undated website. "World Prison Brief." http://www.prisonstudies.org/world-prison-brief
33,258	1995
International Centre for Prison Studies (ICPS). Undated website. "World Prison Brief." http://www.prisonstudies.org/world-prison-brief
27,316	1992
International Centre for Prison Studies (ICPS). Undated website. "World Prison Brief." http://www.prisonstudies.org/world-prison-brief

0.7

Percentage of foreign prisoners

2017

Percentage of foreign prisoners

Percentage	Observation Date
0.7	2017
International Centre for Prison Studies (ICPS). Undated website. "World Prison Brief." http://www.prisonstudies.org/world-prison-brief
0.7	2014
International Centre for Prison Studies (ICPS). Undated website. "World Prison Brief." http://www.prisonstudies.org/world-prison-brief

236

Prison population rate (per 100,000 of national population)

2017

Prison population rate (per 100,000 of national population)

Number	Observation Date
236	2017
International Centre for Prison Studies (ICPS). Undated website. "World Prison Brief." http://www.prisonstudies.org/world-prison-brief
246	2014
International Centre for Prison Studies (ICPS). Undated website. "World Prison Brief." http://www.prisonstudies.org/world-prison-brief
247	2013
International Centre for Prison Studies (ICPS). Undated website. "World Prison Brief." http://www.prisonstudies.org/world-prison-brief
181	2010
International Centre for Prison Studies (ICPS). Undated website. "World Prison Brief." http://www.prisonstudies.org/world-prison-brief
142	2007
International Centre for Prison Studies (ICPS). Undated website. "World Prison Brief." http://www.prisonstudies.org/world-prison-brief
159	2004
International Centre for Prison Studies (ICPS). Undated website. "World Prison Brief." http://www.prisonstudies.org/world-prison-brief
121	2001
International Centre for Prison Studies (ICPS). Undated website. "World Prison Brief." http://www.prisonstudies.org/world-prison-brief
115	1998
International Centre for Prison Studies (ICPS). Undated website. "World Prison Brief." http://www.prisonstudies.org/world-prison-brief
90	1995
International Centre for Prison Studies (ICPS). Undated website. "World Prison Brief." http://www.prisonstudies.org/world-prison-brief
78	1992
International Centre for Prison Studies (ICPS). Undated website. "World Prison Brief." http://www.prisonstudies.org/world-prison-brief

B. Demographics and immigration-related statistics

48,229,000

Population

2015

Population

Number	Observation Date
48,229,000	2015
United Nations Population Fund. State of World Population 2015, http://www.unfpa.org/fr/world-population-dashboard

133,100

International migrants

2015

International migrants

Number	Observation Date
133,100	2015
International Migration, 2015, Wall Chart, UN Population, http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/migration/migration-wallchart-2015.shtml

0.3

International migrants as a percentage of the population

2015

International migrants as a percentage of the population

Percentage	Observation Date
0.3	2015
International Migration, 2015, Wall Chart, UN Population, http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/migration/migration-wallchart-2015.shtml

221

Refugees

2016

Refugees

Number	Observation Date
221	2016
UNHCR Population Statistics http://popstats.unhcr.org/en/persons_of_concern
226	2015
UNHCR Population Statistics http://popstats.unhcr.org/en/persons_of_concern
213	2014
UNHCR Population Statistics http://popstats.unhcr.org/en/persons_of_concern

399

Total number of new asylum applications

2016

Total number of new asylum applications

Number	Observation Date
399	2016
UNHCR Population Statistics http://popstats.unhcr.org/en/persons_of_concern
720	2014
Statistical Yearbook 2014, Table 10 and 26, Asylum applications and refugee status determination by country/territory of asylum and level in the procedure, 2014. http://www.unhcr.org/54cf9bc29.html

22.9

Refugee recognition rate

2014

Refugee recognition rate

Number	Observation Date
22.9	2014
Statistical Yearbook 2014, Table 10 and 26, Asylum applications and refugee status determination by country/territory of asylum and level in the procedure, 2014. http://www.unhcr.org/54cf9bc29.html

11

Stateless persons

2016

Stateless persons

Number	Observation Date
11	2016
UNHCR Population Statistics http://popstats.unhcr.org/en/persons_of_concern
12	2015
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Country information: Statistical snapshot. http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/home

Domestic Law Expand all

A. LEGAL TRADITION

Legal tradition Show sources

Name	Observation Date
Civil law	2017
World Legal Systems. University of Ottawa. http://www.juriglobe.ca/

B. LAWS AND REGULATIONS

C. GROUNDS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE IMMIGRATION-RELATED DETENTION

D. CRIMINALIZATION OF IMMIGRATION-RELATED OFFENCES

E. LENGTH OF DETENTION

F. PROCEDURAL STANDARDS

G. NON-CUSTODIAL MEASURES (ALTERNATIVES TO DETENTION)

H. VULNERABLE PERSONS

I. MANDATORY DETENTION

J. EXPEDITED REMOVAL AND RE-ENTRY BAN

International Law Expand all

1. Relevant international treaties and date of ratification

International treaties Show sources

Name	Ratification Year
ICPED, International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance	2012
UN Treaty Collection
CRPD, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities	2011
UN Treaty Collection
CTOCTP, Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children	2004
UN Treaty Collection
ICRMW, International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families	1995
UN Treaty Collection
CRC, Convention on the Rights of the Child	1991
UN Treaty Collection
CAT, Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment	1987
UN Treaty Collection
CEDAW, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women	1982
UN Treaty Collection
ICERD, International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination	1981
UN Treaty Collection
PCRSR, Protocol to the Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees	1980
UN Treaty Collection
VCCR, Vienna Convention on Consular Relations	1972
UN Treaty Collection
ICCPR, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights	1969
UN Treaty Collection
ICESCR, International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights	1969
UN Treaty Collection
CRSR, Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees	1961
UN Treaty Collection

Ratio of relevant international treaties ratified

13/19

Individual complaints procedure Show sources

Name	Acceptance Year
CEDAW, Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, 1999	2007
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Human Rights by Country. http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/Pages/HumanRightsintheWorld.aspx
ICCPR, First Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966	1969
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Human Rights by Country. http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/Pages/HumanRightsintheWorld.aspx

Ratio of complaints procedures accepted Show sources

Number	Observation Date
2/9
UN Treaty Collection
2/9
UN Treaty Collection

Relevant recommendations issued by treaty bodies Show sources

Name	Recommendation Excerpt	Recommendation Year
Committee on Migrant Workers	§23. The Committee recommends that the State party take the necessary steps to ensure that migration status checks are conducted in a way that does not violate the rights of the persons concerned, particularly the right to integrity of the person. The Committee also recommends that the State party ensure that the procedures used when detaining migrant workers and members of their families who are in an irregular situation, including those who are in transit, are in accordance with articles 16 and 17 of the Convention. The Committee invites the State party to make sure that conditions in temporary migrant holding centres meet international standards.	2013
Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. 'Concluding observations on the second periodic report of Colombia, adopted by the Committee at its eighteenth session (15–26 April 2013)'. CMW/C/COL/CO/2. 27 May 2013.
Committee on Migrant Workers	§21.The Committee noted that the centres run by the Administrative Department of Security (DAS) are used to detain migrants in an irregular situation. However, the Committee is concerned at gaps in the information provided by the State party with regard to the procedures for the detention of migrants by the Administrative Department of Security. §22. The Committee invites the State party to provide detailed information on the procedures applied by the Administrative Department of Security for the detention of migrant workers and members of their families. The Committee would also like to receive detailed information on the registration system and the physical conditions of the facilities in which migrants are held in the DAS centres. §23.The Committee notes that it is planned to establish a migrants’ reception centre in the near future. §24. The Committee recommends that the State party finalize its plans for a migrants’ reception centre, so as to establish a special centre to receive migrant workers and their family members, which respects and guarantees the rights enshrined in the Convention.	2009
Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. 'Consideration of reports submitted by states parties under article 74 of the convention: Concluding observations of the committee on the protection of the rights of all migrant workers and members of their families: Colombia'. CMW/C/COL/CO/1. 22 May 2009.

2. Regional treaties, regulations, and directives

Regional legal instruments Show sources

Name	Year of Ratification (Treaty) / Transposed (Directive) / Adoption (Regulation)
ACHR, American Convention on Human Rights	1973
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Basic Documents in the Inter-American System. http://www.oas.org/en/iachr/mandate/basic_documents.asp
IACPPT, Inter-American Convention to Prevent and Punish Torture	1998
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Basic Documents in the Inter-American System. http://www.oas.org/en/iachr/mandate/basic_documents.asp
APACHR, Additional Protocol to the American Convention on Human Rights in the Area of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights	1997
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Basic Documents in the Inter-American System. http://www.oas.org/en/iachr/mandate/basic_documents.asp
CBDP, Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence against Women (Convention of Belem do Para)	1996
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Basic Documents in the Inter-American System. http://www.oas.org/en/iachr/mandate/basic_documents.asp
IACFDP, Inter-American convention on Forced Disappearance of Persons	2005
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Basic Documents in the Inter-American System. http://www.oas.org/en/iachr/mandate/basic_documents.asp

3. Bilateral/Multilateral agreements linked to readmissions

4. Non treaty-based international human rights mechanisms

Visits by special procedures of the Human Rights Council Show sources

Name	Year of Visit	Observation Date
Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance	1996	2015
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Country and other visits by Special Procedures Mandate Holders since 1998. http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/SP/Pages/countryvisitsa-e.aspx
Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences	2001	2015
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Country and other visits by Special Procedures Mandate Holders since 1998. http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/SP/Pages/countryvisitsa-e.aspx
Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance	2003	2015
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Country and other visits by Special Procedures Mandate Holders since 1998. http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/SP/Pages/countryvisitsa-e.aspx
Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health	2007	2015
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Country and other visits by Special Procedures Mandate Holders since 1998. http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/SP/Pages/countryvisitsa-e.aspx
Working Group on arbitrary detention	2008	2015
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Country and other visits by Special Procedures Mandate Holders since 1998. http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/SP/Pages/countryvisitsa-e.aspx
Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions	2009	2015
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Country and other visits by Special Procedures Mandate Holders since 1998. http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/SP/Pages/countryvisitsa-e.aspx

Relevant recommendations of the UN Universal Periodic Review Show sources

Recomendation Issued	Year Issued	Observation Date
No	2009	2017
Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review * Colombia, A/HRC/10/82, 9 January 2009, https://www.upr-info.org/sites/default/files/document/colombia/session_3_-_december_2008/ahrc1082colombiae.pdf
No	2013
Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review: Colombia. 4 July 2013. A/HRC/24/6.

Institutions Expand all

A. Governing structures

B. Institutions responsible for immigration detention

Custodial authority

Agency	Ministry	Ministry Typology	Observation Date

C. Detention monitoring institutions

D. Outsourcing and privatisation

E. Expenditures

F. Foreign sources of funding for detention operations

Socio Economic Data Expand all

A. Economics and Development Indicators

Gross Domestic Product per capita (in USD) Show sources

Gross Domestic Product per capita (in USD)	Observation Date
7,903	2014
The World Bank. GDP Per Capita (current US$).

Remittances to the country Show sources

Remittances to the country (in millions USD)	Observation Date
4,232	2014
International Migration, 2015, Wall Chart, UN Population, http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/migration/migration-wallchart-2015.shtml

Unemployment Rate Show sources

Unemployment Rate	Observation Date
10.1	2014
The World Bank. Unemployment, total (% of total labor force), 2014

Net official development assistance (ODA) (in millions USD) Show sources

Net official development assistance (ODA) (in USD)	Observation Date
1,221.3	2014
OECD - DAC, Net ODA in millions USD, 2014, http://www.oecd.org/dac/stats

Human Development Index Ranking (UNDP) Show sources

Human Development Index Ranking (UNDP)	UNDP four-tiered ranking	Observation Date
97	Medium	2015
Human Development Reports

B. Attitudes and Perceptions

Country Links

Government Agencies

Ministry of Interior, http://english.mininterior.gov.co/

International Organisations

UNHCR Columbia, http://www.acnur.org/donde-trabaja/america/colombia/

IOM Colombia Country Page, http://argentina.iom.int/ro/colombia

NGO & Research Institutions

Fundacion Esperanza, http://www.fundacionesperanza.org.co/index.shtml

SJR Colombia, http://www.sjrcolombia.org/

Norwegian Refugee Council Colombia, http://www.nrc.org.co/

Human Rights Watch Colombia, https://www.hrw.org/americas/colombia

Media

Semana, http://www.semana.com/

Additional Resources

Immigration Detention through the Lens of International Human Rights: Lessons from South America – Global Detention Project Working Paper No. 23

September 2017

Why hasn’t South America witnessed the same growth in immigration detention regimes that has occurred in the rest of the world? This Global Detention Project Working Paper discusses developments across the region through the lens of international human rights standards.