Both of them were within that operational area during the denounced period. These offenses, under the rules used by International Criminal Courts and according to current doctrine on International Humanitarian Law, neither prescribe, nor may they be subject to any sort of amnesty. The same has also been said regarding the Atlacatl Battalion in El Salvador by the Inter-American Human Rights Commission through its recent decision on he Jesuit case. The paramilitaries must understand that according to the Geneva Conventions, mercenaries can never enjoy the legal status of combatant or of prisoner of war. These deeds fall under the figure of criminal organization and systematic planning of civilian extermination.
Extermination is a crime against humanity and therefore punishable under international law.
We take note of and support in all of its terms, the Public Declaration of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Canadian Parliament, dated 16dec99. In concordance with this declaration, we ask other governments to adopt a similar posture and that they revise their diplomatic and economic relationships with the Colombian government, a government that has demonstrated a failure to comply with its obligations under International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law. In order to implement these measures we think that the State of Colombia should be asked to abide by the doctrine formulated by the Inter-American Human Rights Commission as a conditionality clause. 22 B n. 52-01 Santa Fe de Bogota. Santafe de Bogota Tele fax.