UNHCHR ANNUAL HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT CITE PROGRESS,

UNCLAS BOGOTA 001053 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PGOV KJUS CO SUBJECT: UNHCHR ANNUAL HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT CITE PROGRESS, CONTINUING CHALLENGES ¶1. Summary: The United Nations High Commissioner for High Rights in Colombia's (UNHCHR) 2007 report on Colombia,s human rights situation cites progress, while recognizing that challenges remain. The report highlights human rights violations stemming from Colombia's armed conflict, including FARC and ELN abuses and new illegal armed groups' narcotrafficking ties. It commends improved security and attention to human rights, but calls for more GOC action on impunity and extrajudicial killings. It supports the Justice and Peace Law (JPL),parapolitical investigations, and protection programs for trade unionists, human rights workers, and at-risk individuals. End Summary. -------------- -------------- Illegal Armed Groups ) Not Homogenous but Persistent -------------- -------------- ¶2. The UNHCHR,s 2007 human rights report highlights human rights violations arising from Colombia's armed conflict. Civilian suffer from combat among security forces, illegal armed groups, the FARC and ELN. The report says the Casanare Rural Self-Defense Group is the only United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) block which remains active, but voices concern about new illegal armed groups in Meta, Vichada, Guaviare and Narino. The report warns against generalizing about illegal armed groups, noting they are not homogenous in their structure, interests, and operations. Extensive use of the names "Aguilas Negras" or "Nueva Generacion" does not mean that groups belong to the same structure or coordinate their actions. -------------- FARC and ELN violations -------------- ¶3. The report recognizes GOC efforts to negotiate a humanitarian accord with the FARC, and criticizes the group's continued involvement in massacres, murders, kidnapping, sexual violence, child recruitment, and other terrorist acts. The report cites FARC massacres of ten people in May and August 2007, in addition to the murder of 11 Valle de Cauca deputies. Systematic kidnapping and prolonged captivity remain grave concerns. The report notes the ELN also murdered an Awa indigenous leader in Narino and continues to kidnap civilians. Southern Cordoba, Uraba-Choco, eastern Antioquia, Norte de Santander, Tolima, Narino, Putumayo, Guaviare, Vichada, and Arauca all experienced extensive FARC and ELN violence. -------------- Extrajudicial Killings a Serious Concern -------------- ¶4. The UNHCHR praises the "political will" of senior civilian and military officials to prevent, investigate and punish military personnel responsible for extrajudicial killings, but says this remains a serious problem. UNHCHR will monitor MOD directives issued in 2007 to reduce extrajudicial killings, including the deployment of operational legal advisors in the field, strengthening of internal controls, and provision of extensive human rights training. It also recognizes the Prosecutor General's creation of a special sub-unit to investigate and prosecute alleged extrajudicial killings. Still, the report highlights continued military reporting of civilians as "killed in combat" and military tampering with crime scene evidence as on-going concerns. -------------- Protecting Unionists and Human Rights Workers -------------- ¶5. UNHCHR supported the work of human rights defenders who received threats in 2007. It noted that the GOC expanded its protection program--which protects human rights activists, journalists, and unionists--to include the displaced and JPL victims. In 2007, one journalist was murdered, 92 received death threats and two were kidnapped. The Ministry of Social Protection reported 26 murders of unionists in 2007 (18 of whom were teachers) while the trade union groups cited 34 (Note: The UNHCHR statistics are not for the full year.) The report attributed the murders to the FARC, new illegal armed groups or unidentified persons. -------------- Judicial Progress(and Problems -------------- ¶6. The report outlines structural problems which limit access to the legal system including under-reporting of crimes, resource constraints, corruption, and inefficiency. Still, it notes progress in voluntary confessions made by demobilized paramilitary under the JPL, as well as progress on high-profile cases such as reopening the investigation of the 1985 Palace of Justice attack and the sentencing of members of the security forces in cases of extrajudicial killings. Examples include convictions in the killing of three unionists in Arauca in August 2004 and a farmer murdered in Antioquia in April 2004. The Fiscalia also ordered the detention of an army captain for the San Jose de Apartado massacre in February 2005. UNHCHR cites the Supreme Court,s investigations of 45 members of congress, four governors, and 18 mayors from 16 departments for paramilitary ties as a sign of the court,s "strength and independence." It expects the transition to an accusatory system will help combat impunity. -------------- Implementing Justice and Peace Law -------------- ¶7. UNHCHR notes that the JPL process continued with 1057 voluntary confessions and the exhumation of 1196 remains of paramilitary victims, but voices concern that no paramilitary has been convicted to date. The report expresses concerns that the Prosecutor General lacks the technical skill and resources to help the 121,547 registered victims. It calls for renewed focus on victims for truth, justice, reparations and guarantee of no repetition as "essential conditions" to achieve peace and reconciliation. -------------- Displaced and Vulnerable Groups -------------- ¶8. The report recognizes increased GOC funding to help the displaced, but notes continuing shortfalls in assisting vulnerable groups such as women, indigenous, and Afro-Colombians. Still, UNHCHR acknowledges the Prosecutor General set up a special group in its Human Rights Unit in May 2007 to investigate cases against women and children. The report calls the GOC,s comprehensive plan to support endangered indigenous groups in Cesar, Risaralda, Meta, and Guajira, a "positive step which needs to be consolidated." It says titling of collective land ownership for Afro-Colombians under Law 70 of 1993 should continue in consultation with local communities. -------------- Regional Elections: "Climate of Normality" -------------- ¶9. UNHCHR gives positive marks for the October 28, 2007 local elections in 32 departments which saw high voter turnout due to a "climate of normality" on election day. It notes, however, that 31 candidates candidates were killed, and nine were kidnapped*-all by the FARC and illegal armed groups. The report also praises the continuing dialogue among the GOC, civil society, and international community as reflected in the third meeting in the London-Cartagena process in Bogota in November. -------------- Key Recommendations -------------- ¶10. The UNHCHR report calls for the FARC's unconditional release of all hostages, and urges the GOC to dismantle all forms of illegal armed groups, provide inclusive and comprehensive victims' reparations, fight impunity, eliminate extrajudicial killings, continue JPL implementation, and reduce poverty. It recognizes the GOC,s Social Protection Network for Overcoming Extreme Poverty (JUNTOS) extended services with a target of helping 1.5 million families, of which 300,000 are victims of forced displacement. UNHCHR reiterates the need to strengthen the Prosecutor General, Inspector General, Human Rights Ombudsman, and the judiciary. Brownfield