Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BOGOTA1547
2006-02-17 20:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bogota
Cable title:
PROSECUTOR GENERAL LAUNCHES NEW FISCALIA JUSTICE
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UNCLAS BOGOTA 001547
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KJUS PGOV PREL PTER CO
SUBJECT: PROSECUTOR GENERAL LAUNCHES NEW FISCALIA JUSTICE
AND PEACE UNIT
-------
SUMMARY
-------
UNCLAS BOGOTA 001547
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KJUS PGOV PREL PTER CO
SUBJECT: PROSECUTOR GENERAL LAUNCHES NEW FISCALIA JUSTICE
AND PEACE UNIT
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (U) Colombian Prosecutor General Mario Iguaran on 7
February presided over the launch of the Justice and Peace
Unit in the Fiscalia (Prosecutor General's office). In his
remarks at the inauguration, Iguaran emphasized that
applicants who withhold information or lie would be denied
Justice and Peace benefits. He said the Unit was ready to
work and thanked the international community, including the
U.S., for support in training the Unit's key officials.
--------------
JUSTICE AND PEACE BENEFITS NOT A REWARD
--------------
2. (U) Iguaran emphasized the "justice" side of the Justice
and Peace Law and the role the Fiscalia,s Justice and Peace
Unit would play in ensuring the law was properly implemented
in his remarks before diplomats, government officials, and
representatives of international organizations attending the
February 7 inauguration. Iguaran said the Justice and Peace
law is a judicial mechanism for individuals who comply it.
He said over 1,400 paramilitary and guerrilla fighters had
applied for consideration under the law, but those who had
&no interest in the truth had no reason to be there.8
Iguaran warned those who chose not to participate would be
prosecuted in the regular court system. Iguaran stated that
the Fiscalia would expose crimes individuals committed when
they were not acting as members of an illegal armed group.
--------------
JUSTICE AND PEACE UNIT GOOD TO GO
--------------
3. (U) During the press conference that followed, Iguaran
said the Justice and Peace Unit is ready to work. The Unit
is comprised of seasoned prosecutors. Iguaran thanked the
U.S., the UN, and the EU for their technical assistance and
advice, and the opportunities to meet with experts from the
International Court of Justice for Rwanda and the former
Yugoslavia. Iguaran added that the Unit was prepared.
4. (U) One journalist asked Iguaran about the fairness of
the maximum eight-year prison term under the law. The
Colombian legislature decided eight years was sufficient time
for justice to be achieved. He added that if a person is
processed under the Justice and Peace Law inappropriately the
public should blame the government for allowing such a case
to fall through the cracks.
5. (U) Iguaran explained once the government hands the
Fiscalia the list of eligible participants in the program,
the Fiscalia would have six months to investigate and press
charges. These charges would be based on the individuals,
confessions and any other information the Fiscalia may have.
Once the Fiscalia presses charges, it will have 60 days to
bring the case before a judge who will decide which charges
will be processed under the Justice and Peace Law and which
will be referred to the regular court system. When asked how
he could be sure that the Fiscalia could stick to the
timeline, Iguaran replied the cooperation of the accused will
be key to keeping the process moving.
DRUCKER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KJUS PGOV PREL PTER CO
SUBJECT: PROSECUTOR GENERAL LAUNCHES NEW FISCALIA JUSTICE
AND PEACE UNIT
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (U) Colombian Prosecutor General Mario Iguaran on 7
February presided over the launch of the Justice and Peace
Unit in the Fiscalia (Prosecutor General's office). In his
remarks at the inauguration, Iguaran emphasized that
applicants who withhold information or lie would be denied
Justice and Peace benefits. He said the Unit was ready to
work and thanked the international community, including the
U.S., for support in training the Unit's key officials.
--------------
JUSTICE AND PEACE BENEFITS NOT A REWARD
--------------
2. (U) Iguaran emphasized the "justice" side of the Justice
and Peace Law and the role the Fiscalia,s Justice and Peace
Unit would play in ensuring the law was properly implemented
in his remarks before diplomats, government officials, and
representatives of international organizations attending the
February 7 inauguration. Iguaran said the Justice and Peace
law is a judicial mechanism for individuals who comply it.
He said over 1,400 paramilitary and guerrilla fighters had
applied for consideration under the law, but those who had
&no interest in the truth had no reason to be there.8
Iguaran warned those who chose not to participate would be
prosecuted in the regular court system. Iguaran stated that
the Fiscalia would expose crimes individuals committed when
they were not acting as members of an illegal armed group.
--------------
JUSTICE AND PEACE UNIT GOOD TO GO
--------------
3. (U) During the press conference that followed, Iguaran
said the Justice and Peace Unit is ready to work. The Unit
is comprised of seasoned prosecutors. Iguaran thanked the
U.S., the UN, and the EU for their technical assistance and
advice, and the opportunities to meet with experts from the
International Court of Justice for Rwanda and the former
Yugoslavia. Iguaran added that the Unit was prepared.
4. (U) One journalist asked Iguaran about the fairness of
the maximum eight-year prison term under the law. The
Colombian legislature decided eight years was sufficient time
for justice to be achieved. He added that if a person is
processed under the Justice and Peace Law inappropriately the
public should blame the government for allowing such a case
to fall through the cracks.
5. (U) Iguaran explained once the government hands the
Fiscalia the list of eligible participants in the program,
the Fiscalia would have six months to investigate and press
charges. These charges would be based on the individuals,
confessions and any other information the Fiscalia may have.
Once the Fiscalia presses charges, it will have 60 days to
bring the case before a judge who will decide which charges
will be processed under the Justice and Peace Law and which
will be referred to the regular court system. When asked how
he could be sure that the Fiscalia could stick to the
timeline, Iguaran replied the cooperation of the accused will
be key to keeping the process moving.
DRUCKER