Colombia’s Human Rights Record to be Evaluated by the United Nations

By Oscar J Barbosa
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BOGOTA, Colombia –  Colombian President Alvaro Uribe spoke before the UN General Assembly on Wednesday attesting to the efforts taken by his government to dismantle drug cartels and fight the war on drugs. The United Nations Human Right Commission will begin evaluations of various countries in regards to Human Rights records, and Colombia volunteered to take part in the December evaluation.

El Mundo reported that Uribe’s administration has left 13,600 deaths. The figure was part of a report by a collaboration of 400 NGOs in Colombia, and sent to the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay. Among the victims, the report showed that 1,477 individuals disappeared, and 719 of the total, were minors.

The Report also showed that about 10,000 children fought in the illicit groups in 2007. Also, about 67 paramilitary groups remain active with over 9,000 enlisted. The displaced population increased by an 18% from the 3^rd trimester of 2007, to the 1^st trimester of 2008. The facts shown by the NGOs also encouraged international protection of the community and labor union leaders, who suffer constant attacks.

Colombian Human Rights record had also been considered in various cases at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. The Colombian Government declared itself guilty of negligence in regards to the Trujillo Massacre. Reparations will be given to the families affected in the Valle region, where, between 1986 and 1994, 342 people were kidnapped and dismembered by paramilitaries and drug dealers with some support of the regional authorities.   At least 20 people have arrest warrants for their involvement in the killings, some of the drug dealers are already detained, and others are retired military and policemen.

In addition, authorities in Colombia have found at least 19 bodies buried in the Santander region, one of them a minor. The bodies identified matched the names of people who disappeared from their homes in impoverished regions of Bogotá. Investigations remain ongoing, and it is unclear how and why these bodies appeared in Santander. Some versions estimate that illicit groups have forcefully recruited youngsters in the cities, and then killed those who refused join.

 For more information, please see:

Eco diario - Ordenan 20 capturas por crímenes de 342 personas en el suroeste de Colombia – 24 September, 2008

El Mundo - Más de 13.600 muertos por 'violencia sociopolítica' desde que llegó Uribe al poder

- 24 September, 2008

El Tiempo - Fiscalía confirma que fueron 19 los jóvenes hallados muertos en nororiente del país – 27 September, 2008