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Friday, November 10, 2006
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Nature of the Case

Tutela action to protect the rights of displaced persons. Prolonged, repeated mass violation of rights caused by structural problem. The Government’s obligation to comply with constitutional and legal mandates, and to allocate enough resources to guarantee effective enjoyment of rights. Minimum rights of displaced people.

Summary

The claimants filed a tutela action against several state institutions alleging failure to comply with their mission of protecting displaced persons and to effectively respond to the displaced’s requests related to housing, access to production projects, health care, education and humanitarian aid. The Constitutional Court determined that the extreme vulnerability suffered by displaced persons, and the State’s repeated failure to provide timely and effective protection, violated their rights to a dignified life, personal integrity, equality, petition, work, health, social security, education, minimum required income and special protection for the elderly, women heads of family, and children. According to the Court, this prolonged, repeated mass violation resulted from a structural problem caused by lack of resources and poor institutional capacities. Such situation was described as an “unconstitutional state of things” that imposes upon competent regional and national authorities the obligation to adjust their actions in order to ensure there is harmony between their commitments based on constitutional and legal mandates, and the resources allocated to guarantee effective enjoyment of rights by the displaced. Consequently, the Court ordered Consejo Nacional Para la Atención Integral a la Población Desplazada por la Violencia [Nacional Council for Full Assistance of Persons Displaced by Violence] to ensure obligations set by competent authorities were consistent with resources effectively allocated to the protection of the rights of the displaced, and that minimum rights were timely and effectively protected.

Keywords: Acción de tutela instaurada por Abel Antonio Jaramillo, Adela Polanía Montaño, Agripina María Nuñez y otros contra la Red de Solidaridad Social, el Departamento Administrativo de la Presidencia de la República, el Ministerio de Hacienda y Crédito, Refugees, Asylum, Seekers, Displaced, Persons, Rights

Enforcement of the Decision and Outcomes

In June 2005, the Court concluded that, in spite of the efforts made and some progress accomplished, the unconstitutional state of things had not been overcome. The Court noted that agencies responsible for assisting the displaced had to work faster and more consistently towards the solution of the said state of things within a reasonable timeframe.

Significance of the Case

On the one hand, this decision is considered very important because it defines the Constitutional Court’s position about the rights of victims of forced internal displacement. On the other hand, the decision shows the role of the Court in the design of protection and assistance policies aimed at the displaced. Furthermore, the decision states that the State, regardless of the circumstances, cannot neglect the minimum rights of the displaced.

Groups Involved in the Case

Claimants: Abel Antonio Jaramillo, Adela Polanía Montaño, Agripina María Nuñez et al. Defendants: La Red de Solidaridad Social, el Departamento Administrativo de la Presidencia de la República de Colombia, el Ministerio de Hacienda y Crédito Público de Colombia, el Ministerio de Protección Social de Colombia, el Ministerio de Agricultura de Colombia, el Ministerio de Educación de Colombia, el INURBE, el INCORA, el SENA, et al.