By Caribbean News Global
WASHINGTON, USA – The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Colombian Masonic Confederation says will collaborate in the promotion of democracy, human rights, migrants’ rights, education, security and integral development.
This is according to a framework agreement signed on February 18, 2021, between the leaders of the two institutions.
“The agreement establishes the basis for both organizations to collaborate by organizing high-level round tables on different topics. The first result of this agreement will be a high-level event that the two organizations will soon organize in support of the Colombian government’s decision to grant temporary legal protection status to the two million Venezuelan migrants in its territory, as well as its implementation,” the OAS said in a statement.
OAS secretary-general Luis Almagro highlighted that the agreement will allow both organizations to work for the benefit of the most vulnerable sectors.
“In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are working to join efforts between governments, multilateral organizations, civil society organizations, the private sector and academia, for the benefit of those who most need our help. This agreement goes in that direction.”
President of the Colombian Masonic Confederation, Mario Latiff, emphasized that both organizations share the same values and mentioned the four pillars of the OAS: democracy, human rights, security and integral development.
“If we review the founding principles of the OAS and the Masonic principles, we find a great coincidence in the two organizations,” he said. “The agreement also establishes that both institutions will cooperate in the study, promotion and strengthening of representative democracy; the promotion and dissemination of human rights and the Inter-American system as a whole; and the organization of conferences, seminars, round tables and other events.”