PROSECUTOR GENERAL LAUNCHES NEW FISCALIA JUSTICE

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