CHARGE URGES GOC TO STRENGTHEN PROTECTION PROGRAMS

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 002437

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/12/2017
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KCRM CO
SUBJECT: CHARGE URGES GOC TO STRENGTHEN PROTECTION PROGRAMS

REF: A. BOGOTA 2392

B. BOGOTA 923

Classified By: Political Counselor John S. Creamer
Reason: 1.4 (b,d)

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Summary
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1. (C) The Charge reiterated to Vice President Francisco
Santos and Justice and Interior Minister Carlos Holguin the
importance of strengthening GOC protection programs for
victims participating in the Justice and Peace Law process.
Santos and Holguin said the GOC shared our concerns and was
taking steps to make the programs more effective. End
summary.

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Charge Urges Stronger Protection Programs
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2. (C) The Charge met with Justice and Interior Minister
Carlos Holguin on April 10 to stress the need for better GOC
protection of victims participating in the Justice and Peace
Law process. He urged the GOC to ensure its protection
programs were better integrated, including greater
dissemination of threat information within the GOC, and
encouraged the GOC to consult widely with victims and human
groups on this issue.


3. (C) The Charge made the same points to Vice President
Francisco Santos on March 27, emphasizing the case of
murdered victims' rights advocate Yolando Izquierdo (ref B)
demonstrated that local Colombian National Police (CNP)
forces should be immediate "first responders" to assist
threatened individuals. It was essential to establish
accountability early so that other cases do not fall through
the cracks, as various GOC entities looked at a case to see
if it fit the criteria of their specific program. The CNP
responsibility need not necessarily be permanent, but at
least it should protect a person in initial stages of a
threat situation until the GOC program allocated permanent
responsibility. The Charge also briefed the VP on USG
programs, including a new effort to digitize victim testimony
and make it searchable, enabling investigators and
prosecutors to prepare comprehensive cases. He offered the
USG's continuing assistance to the Vice President and
Minister Holguin.

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GOC Commits to Stronger Programs
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4. (C) Santos and Holguin said the GOC shared our concerns
and has taken steps to improve its protection programs.
Holguin, who was accompanied by vice ministers Reyes and
Nieto, said in the short-term the GOC has instructed
departmental police commanders to serve as "first-responders"
when threats are made against victims. The GOC has also
identified 30 high-risk victims advocates, including 10 from
Cordoba Department where Yolanda Izquiero was murdered, and
is providing them with permanent protection. In the
medium-term, Holguin said the GOC is working on a map of
high-risk areas, as well as protocols to improve the overall
GOC response and eliminate bureaucratic gaps. Vice President
Santos said his human rights chief Carlos Franco would report
to the Embassy shortly on progress with the protocol.


5. (C) Holguin told the Charge the GOC understands the
protection program for victims cannot be the same as that for
other witnesses, and wants to design a flexible approach that
provides maximum coverage. Still, Holguin cautioned that
with 40,000 or more victims, the GOC cannot provide
bodyguards to all those who need it. GOC assistance will
focus on providing increased police presence, as well as
communication and other assistance, to leaders in the victims
movement and to other high-profile individuals. These efforts
will be complemented by an increased Department of
Administrative Security (DAS) and CNP effort to investigate
and thwart threats against victims. Vice FM Reyes said a GOC
Operational Committee -- consisting of representatives of the
DAS, CNP, Prosecutor General's Office (Fiscalia),Inspector
General's Office (Procuradoria),National Reparations and
Reconciliation Committee, Armed Forces and Ombudsman's Office
(Defensoria) -- meets weekly to evaluate threat information
and approve specific protection measures.

Drucker