WRITTEN QUESTION E-3121/02

by Richard Howitt (PSE) to the Council

(30 October 2002)

Subject: Safety of human rights workers in Colombia

Over the last few months there has been a notable deterioration of the general human rights situation in Bogotá so that human rights workers are experiencing an increasingly hostile environment in which to work. In particular, the physical safety of members of the Inter-Congregational Commission of Justice and Peace, a Colombian NGO accompanied by Peace Brigades International, has been seriously threatened.

On 7 August 2002, the European Union issued a statement to mark the inauguration of Alvaro Uribe Velez as the incoming President of the Republic of Colombia, emphasising the importance of human rights in Colombia. In the light of this statement what action has the Council taken and does the Council propose to take vis-á-vis the Colombian authorities to guarantee the physical safety of human rights defenders in Colombia and ensure their right to freely carry out their work?

Reply

(4 March 2003)

The Council regularly monitors the evolution of the situation in Colombia. As stated in the declaration made by the Presidency on behalf of the EU:

The new Government of Colombia is facing substantial political, economic and social challenges. The European Union and its Member States will support President Uribe in his efforts to meet these challenges. In this respect the EU welcomes the commitment of the new Government to the principles of democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law as well as its intentions to strengthen the institutions of the state and to work for increased security and to fight against terrorism and drug trafficking.

The EU condemns vigorously all violations of human rights and of international humanitarian law in Colombia and calls upon all parties to work for a negotiated solution to the conflict as the only way to bring about a lasting peace.

The EU will fully support the efforts of the new Government to end impunity and recalls the importance of bringing the full force of the law to bear on those responsible for the crimes committed.

The EU considers that special attention must be paid to social and economic reforms in order to achieve a long lasting solution. The EU stands ready to assist the Government in planning and implementing such reforms in addition to its continuing efforts to support initiatives aimed at promoting peace and reconciliation.

The EU is regularly briefed on the working conditions of NGOs in Colombia. The NGOs make an important contribution to alleviating the humanitarian crisis, and of promoting human rights and social justice. The EU and Member States' representations have established a close dialogue with the NGOs on the ground and are also in active talks with the Colombian Government to promote NGO activities, which helps to enhance their security. Last December, the Council adopted comprehensive conclusions on the situation in Columbia in which, inter alia, it called upon the Colombian Government to recognise and support the role of civil society and Non-Governmental Organisations as important stakeholders in carrying out these reforms and moving towards a negotiated settlement of the internal armed conflict.