Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BOGOTA3872
2007-05-31 15:25:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Bogota
Cable title:
COLOMBIA: HOMICIDES PLUMMET, ESPECIALLY CIVILIAN
how-toVZCZCXYZ0005 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHBO #3872 1511525 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 311525Z MAY 07 FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5769 INFO RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 9033 RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ MAY LIMA 5095 RUEHZP/AMEMBASSY PANAMA 0341 RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 5716 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC//USDP ADMIN/CHAIRS// RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUETIAA/CSG SOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
UNCLAS BOGOTA 003872
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV MARR CO
SUBJECT: COLOMBIA: HOMICIDES PLUMMET, ESPECIALLY CIVILIAN
DEATHS
-------
Summary
-------
UNCLAS BOGOTA 003872
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV MARR CO
SUBJECT: COLOMBIA: HOMICIDES PLUMMET, ESPECIALLY CIVILIAN
DEATHS
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. Data from the Colombian Commission of Jurists (CCJ),a
prominent human rights group, show "political" homicides
involving civilians fell by almost 70 percent during Uribe's
first term. Overall, Colombia's homicides dropped by 40
percent in the last four years, reaching their lowest level
in 20 years. End Summary.
--------------
CCJ Report: Averages Mask Trends
--------------
2. The Colombian Commission of Jurists (CCJ),a well-know
human rights group, reports political violence during
President Uribe's tenure remained roughly constant from 2002
to 2006 at nearly 14 per day. CCJ asserts this rate is
similar to the 14 daily average registered during the six
years prior to 2002. CCJ also credits the AUC demobilization
with cutting paramilitary murders from 1,756 to 1,060 persons
a year. CCJ's use of multi-year averages, however, masks the
underlying trends in both instances.
--------------
CCJ Data: "Political" Killings Sharply Down
--------------
3. Data provided to poloff by CCJ paints a far more positive
picture. Progress during Uribe's first term is striking (see
Table): political homicides involving civilians fell by
almost 70 percent, driven by sharp drops in murders by
paramilitaries (down 82 percent) and by the FARC/ELN (down 63
percent). The data extends only to mid-2006, when the
demobilization process had not yet finished. CCJ continues
to collect this data, which will show if this positive trend
has continued since the demobilization of the last
paramilitary block in August 2006. The increase in alleged
extrajudicial killings will be addressed septel.
--------------
"Political" Homicides
--------------
percent
'01-2 '02-3 '03-4 '04-5 '05-6 /-
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
By paras 2,015 1,594 1,234 515 354 - 82
By FARC/ELN 634 669 426 272 235 - 63
By COLMIL 135 183 226 208 262 94
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
subtotal 2,784 2,446 1,886 995 851 - 69
Notes:
- Each annual interval is July to June, e.g. 7/02 - 6/03.
- Includes extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances.
- Counts killings only outside of combat.
Source: Colombian Commission of Jurists (CCJ).
--------------
Total Homicides: Lowest in 20 Years
--------------
4. Colombia's aggregate homicide rate is at its lowest level
since 1987. Defense Ministry data show total killings down
by 40 percent in four years, from a peak of nearly 29,000 in
2002 when President Uribe took office to about 17,000 in
2006. This overall homicide figure consists of all murders
committed with any kind of weapon, including those involving
illegal armed groups.
Drucker
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV MARR CO
SUBJECT: COLOMBIA: HOMICIDES PLUMMET, ESPECIALLY CIVILIAN
DEATHS
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. Data from the Colombian Commission of Jurists (CCJ),a
prominent human rights group, show "political" homicides
involving civilians fell by almost 70 percent during Uribe's
first term. Overall, Colombia's homicides dropped by 40
percent in the last four years, reaching their lowest level
in 20 years. End Summary.
--------------
CCJ Report: Averages Mask Trends
--------------
2. The Colombian Commission of Jurists (CCJ),a well-know
human rights group, reports political violence during
President Uribe's tenure remained roughly constant from 2002
to 2006 at nearly 14 per day. CCJ asserts this rate is
similar to the 14 daily average registered during the six
years prior to 2002. CCJ also credits the AUC demobilization
with cutting paramilitary murders from 1,756 to 1,060 persons
a year. CCJ's use of multi-year averages, however, masks the
underlying trends in both instances.
--------------
CCJ Data: "Political" Killings Sharply Down
--------------
3. Data provided to poloff by CCJ paints a far more positive
picture. Progress during Uribe's first term is striking (see
Table): political homicides involving civilians fell by
almost 70 percent, driven by sharp drops in murders by
paramilitaries (down 82 percent) and by the FARC/ELN (down 63
percent). The data extends only to mid-2006, when the
demobilization process had not yet finished. CCJ continues
to collect this data, which will show if this positive trend
has continued since the demobilization of the last
paramilitary block in August 2006. The increase in alleged
extrajudicial killings will be addressed septel.
--------------
"Political" Homicides
--------------
percent
'01-2 '02-3 '03-4 '04-5 '05-6 /-
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
By paras 2,015 1,594 1,234 515 354 - 82
By FARC/ELN 634 669 426 272 235 - 63
By COLMIL 135 183 226 208 262 94
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
subtotal 2,784 2,446 1,886 995 851 - 69
Notes:
- Each annual interval is July to June, e.g. 7/02 - 6/03.
- Includes extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances.
- Counts killings only outside of combat.
Source: Colombian Commission of Jurists (CCJ).
--------------
Total Homicides: Lowest in 20 Years
--------------
4. Colombia's aggregate homicide rate is at its lowest level
since 1987. Defense Ministry data show total killings down
by 40 percent in four years, from a peak of nearly 29,000 in
2002 when President Uribe took office to about 17,000 in
2006. This overall homicide figure consists of all murders
committed with any kind of weapon, including those involving
illegal armed groups.
Drucker