WRITTEN QUESTION E-0959/98

by Lucio Manisco (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(30 March 1998)

Subject: Human rights violations in Colombia

Colombia is a country plagued by extreme criminal and political violence. There are 30 000 criminal murders a year and 4 000 political assassinations. At least one person is declared "missing" every day. More than a million internal refugees have been forced to leave their homes in order to flee death threats.

On 3 September 1995 the Cartagena police murdered Giacomo Turra, a Union citizen, after subjecting him to protracted torture. In the continuing trial of the officers responsible for the odious crime, the evidence against the accused is being manipulated and dishonestly misrepresented to their advantage.

1. What steps have the Commission and Council taken since the affair was brought to their notice? If they have done nothing so far, why have they ignored a case that so graphically illustrates the need for justice in Colombia and not sent an observer to ascertain that the trial is being properly conducted?

2. Does the Commission not believe that, as a matter of urgency, the Union should call for respect for human rights, which are being violated even by the so-called security forces, and insist on the immediate disbandment of the paramilitary groups that have committed thousands of murders in Colombia?

3. Does it not believe that bilateral relations between the EU and Colombia should be made subject to respect for civilized coexistence and cooperation activities should be curtailed unless they are intended to serve humanitarian purposes in the strict sense?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission

(7 May 1998)

1. The Commission has repeatedly made clear that it shares fully Parliament's concerns at the situation in Colombia, which has grown steadily worse in recent months. It will spare no effort in seeking an end to the multiple crimes against the civilian population and the near total immunity currently enjoyed by the perpetrators.

With the Member States' diplomatic missions on the spot, the Commission is monitoring the trial of the presumed murderers of Giacomo Turra, the Italian national murdered by Colombian police in Cartagena on 3 September 1995. The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Mr Dell'Alba's written question E-4108/97.(1)

2. The Commission is likewise persuaded of the need for the international community to play a greater part in monitoring the situation in Colombia, notably by keeping a permanent watch on the human rights situation. However, any initiative aimed at isolating Colombia would simply increase the level of violence.

The Commission attaches the utmost importance to the role of the local office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and is following with interest the results of the presentation of its first annual report to the 54th session of the Human Rights Committee, which took place from 16 March to 24 April in Geneva. It has already taken steps to guarantee the continuation of its activities for another year. It should be remembered that the Commission is funding the provision of five international observers, who constituted the bulk of the Bogota office's staff throughout its first year of operations.

3. As regards the aid programme to which the Honourable Member refers, it should be stressed that under the terms of the rules governing humanitarian aid, such aid, given its objective, is not guided by or subject to political considerations. The other forms of aid Colombia receives from the Commission are largely targeted at the most disadvantaged sections of the population. The Commission enlists the help of a large number of local and international NGOs in implementing its aid.

The Commission is therefore not directly aiding the Colombian government, so any reduction in aid would hit the neediest hardest.

(1) OJ C 196, 22.6.1998.