CHARGE RAISES JUSTICE AND PEACE LAW, HUMAN RIGHTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 001629 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/09/2017 TAGS: KJUS PGOV PREL PTER CO SUBJECT: CHARGE RAISES JUSTICE AND PEACE LAW, HUMAN RIGHTS CASES WITH NATIONAL PROSECUTOR Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Milton K. Drucker. Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Charge Milton Drucker met March 8 with National Prosecutor General (Fiscal) Mario Iguaran to offer U.S. assistance in developing a database to manage and access victims, testimony in the Justice and Peace Law process, and to stress the need for results in key human rights cases. Drucker praised the recent progress in the investigation of the February 21, 2005 massacre near San Jose de Apartado, and urged resolution of other cases such as Mapiripan, Santo Domingo, Cajamarca, and Arauca. He said Justice Program Director and Polcouns had previously discussed these cases with Fiscalia Human Rights Unit director Leonardo Cabana and Presidential legal advisor Mauricio Gomez, and would follow up with them on a regular basis. ¶2. (C) Iguaran voiced appreciation for the offer of assistance on a database, noting that such help would be critical to the success of the JPL. The Fiscalia needed to improve its information infrastructure; a victims, database would help with both investigations and interrogations. On human rights, Iguaran agreed on the need to make progress, especially in cases involving the military and police. He is considering reopening older cases, such as Guaitarilla, based on new information revealed thought the Justice and Peace process. He said the Jamundi trial continues, but he does not expect a verdict for several months. The Fiscalia is focused on providing Colonel Carvajal,s link to narcotraffickers, which is taking some time. Iguaran concluded by reiterating his commitment to resolve these difficult cases. DRUCKER