COLOMBIA: UN FIELD COVERAGE OF HUMAN RIGHTS

UNCLAS BOGOTA 000303

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

FOR IO/RHS OSTERMEIR AND PATEL, DRL/MLGA SIBILLA, IO/PSC
ODELL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL CO
SUBJECT: COLOMBIA: UN FIELD COVERAGE OF HUMAN RIGHTS

REF: SECSTATE 2023

SUMMARY
--------------


1. (SBU) The Office of the High Commissioner for Human
Rights (OHCHR) has ready access to the GOC as an advisor and
advocate on human rights issues. The OHCHR successfully
influenced GOC reforms on key issues, such as the Justice and
Peace Law and the Code of Military Justice, and works closely
with the USG to address common human rights concerns. The
Office's continued relevance requires a permanent local
representative who will maintain constructive relationships
and communication channels with the GOC, civil society, human
rights groups, and the international community. A USAID
earmark grant to the OHCHR Colombia Mission will increase to
744,000 USD in 2009; OHCHR has had difficulties programming
USAID's resources within the timeframes required by USG
regulations. End Summary


2. (U) The OHCHR Colombia field mission currently has a
staff of 75, comprised of 31 international and 44 local
staff. Its offices are in Bogota, Cali, Medellin, and
Bucaramanga. Last year the field mission launched a
satellite office seven days a month in Arauca in the UN High
Commissioner for Refugees mission's regional office. The
OHCHR 2009 budget is 8.1 million USD.

Strong Access to GOC
--------------


3. (U) The OHCHR works as a legal advisor, neutral
observer, technical assistance provider, human rights
advocate and educator. The Office has good access to the GOC
and works closely with the Defense Ministry, Interior and
Justice Ministry (MOIJ),the Prosecutor General's Office
(Fiscalia),the Inspector General (Procuraduria),and the
Human Rights Ombudsman (Defensoria). The OHCHR has
successfully influenced GOC reforms in key areas such as the
Justice and Peace Law, and the Military Criminal Justice
Code. It provides training and cooperation on military
justice reform and participates in a high-level Defense
Ministry committee that addresses extrajudicial killing
committed by GOC security forces. OHCHR also provides
technical support to the Fiscalia, Procuraduria, Defensoria,
and MOIJ in key areas such as protection and investigations.

Valuable Partner to NGOs and International Community
-------------- --------------


4. (U) As a neutral observer, the OHCHR serves as a bridge
between human rights groups, victims, the international
community, and the GOC. The Office monitors victims hearings
and conducts its own investigations into specific cases. Its
credibility and advocacy work have helped focus public and
GOC attention on key issues such as extrajudicial killings,
press freedom, and the rights of Afro-Colombians and
indigenous groups. The field mission also works with civil
society, human rights groups, and international organizations
to educate members of the public on their rights and to press
for greater resources for the victims of Colombia's conflict.



5. (U) USAID provided earmark funding to support the
general mandate of the OHCHR Colombia field mission in 2007
and 2008. This grant will increase to 744,000 USD in 2009.
Still, earmark funding has created difficulties for the
Office in the past, because Geneva controls all funding
decisions. As a result, disbursements have often been
delayed significantly. OHCHR's weak capacity in Bogota to
absorb funding and program grants at the speed required under
USG earmark funding is also a concern.


6. (U) OHCHR is a strong and collaborative partner with the
Embassy. Its personnel regularly exchange information with
Embassy officers and its regional officers are an invaluable
source of data on the human rights situation outside of
Bogota. The OHCHR works closely with the Embassy to improve
the Colombian military's human rights performance, including
the sensitive issue of extrajudicial killings. For example,
the Office provided planning assistance and speakers for a
two-day conference on Human Rights and International
Humanitarian Law organized by the Embassy for Fiscalia,
Defense Ministry and military personnel.

Credibility Key to Success
--------------


7. (SBU) The OHCHR's capacity to achieve concrete
improvements in Colombia's human rights situation depends on
its ability to maintain its reputation as a credible,
objective actor with open lines of communication to the GOC,
civil society, and the international community. This is
often difficult to do in Colombia's highly polarized
political environment, where all sides push the Office to
take positions that advance their particular agenda.
Maintaining the OHCHR's credibility requires a local
representative with extensive experience working in conflict
situations, detailed knowledge of human rights issues, and
deft diplomatic skills.
BROWNFIELD