EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/338

(2004/C 84 E/0397)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0235/04

by Miet Smet (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(2 February 2004)

Subject: Violation of human rights of Cacarica communities in Colombia

For some years now, Colombia has been ravaged by violence between the government-backed army paramilitaries and various guerrilla movements. This violence has also affected Colombian citizens, directly or indirectly. Members of the Cacarica communities, who live in the Cacarica river basin, in the departamento of Chocó, say they are being forced to leave their homes.

In 2000, these Cacarica communities reached agreement with the government of the then president Pastrana allowing their safe return. They also urged that, as private citizens, they should not be affected by the conflict. With the help of international organisations and the Justicia y Paz Commission, few problems arose in the initial phase after their return.

Recently, however, the Cacarica communities have been accused by both the military and the guerilla fighters of siding with their respective enemies. These accusations have been accompanied by renewed violence. Even human rights activists have been threatened, and recent statements by President Uribe and certain of his ministers have called into question the legitimacy of the work carried out by human rights organisations.

Has the European Commission already reacted to the violations of human rights in Colombia?

If so, has the Colombian Government already reacted to this approach?

If not, can the Commission urge the Colombian Government to adopt the UNHCR's recommendations, guarantee the protection of human rights activists and strive to find a peaceful solution to the conflict, which has already lasted a number of years?

In the event that the Colombian Government has not responded or does not respond to the Commission's approach, does the Commission intend to impose sanctions on Colombia?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(12 March 2004)

The Commission fully supports the Colombian Government in its struggle against terrorism, the production of, and traffic in, illegal drugs and in its sustained efforts to establish a state which exercises all its functions everywhere in Colombian territory and guarantees the safety of all its citizens. Like the Honourable Member, the Commission also attaches the greatest importance — and pays particular attention — to the human rights situation in Colombia, particularly the rights of those displaced by the conflict.

This was made very clear at recent meetings between members of the Commission and of the Colombian Government (visit by Vice-President Santos to Brussels on 2 December 2003, visit by Mr Patten, Member of the Commission, to Colombia on 21/22 January 2004, visit by President Uribe to Brussels and Strasbourg on 9/10 February 2004). More specifically, the Commission expressed its hope that the '27 recommendations' drawn up by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, as set out in the London Declaration of 10 July 2004, would be implemented promptly. The Commission also informed the Colombian Government of its hope that when displaced persons returned home they did so voluntarily and only when all conditions, particularly that of safety, had been fulfilled.

Support for a negotiated solution to the conflict in Colombia is the corner stone of the EU's policy on Colombia. In particular, the Commission supports the efforts deployed by the UN Secretary-General through his special Adviser, Mr James LeMoyne.

The Commission regards non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society as essential partners in the search for a lasting negotiated solution in Colombia and has stated so publicly and repeatedly (1). What is more, historically, some 50 % of all Community programmes have been implemented via NGOs.

In addition, the Commission provides specific support for the defenders of human rights and displaced persons. Colombia is one of the target countries and main beneficiaries of the ‘European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights’ (Budget Article 19 04 03). A total of 19 projects is under way, involving over EUR 15 million, 19 local NGOs, 7 European NGOs, 2 universities and the Colombian Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Displaced persons benefit from both the emergency humanitarian aid provided by ECHO, the European Humanitarian Aid Office (EUR 8 million in 2003, spread over 13 European NGOs, Budget Chapter 23 02), and from the instrument specifically for displaced persons (Budget Article 19 09 03, which provided just under EUR 10 million in 2003).

Recently, the conclusions of the Foreign Relations Council of 26 January 2004 also showed that the human rights situation, like the humanitarian situation, are an integral part of the European Union's foreign and security policy.

Concerning the particular question raised by the Honourable Member, the Commission is monitoring the situation of the Cacarica communities in Colombia very closely, in particular through the human rights office of its Delegation in Colombia.

(1) http://www.delcol.cec.eu.int/es/novedades/boletin_61.htm