Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

The process of moving towards peace in Colombia has seen significant developments during the course of this year, and this is an opportune moment to consider the current situation. Deputies will recall the rescue of Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other hostages in July of this year, which was welcomed by the world as a signal that the situation in Colombia is changing. This high profile development was just one step towards a more stable Colombia and there is no space for complacency in any process of this kind.

The internal conflict in Colombia has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and has been characterised by kidnappings and other gross violations of human rights. As a direct result of the conflict, it is estimated that over 3 million people have been displaced internally, second only to the numbers seen in Sudan. Serious concerns remain regarding the protection of human rights defenders and the persistence of extra-judicial killings.

The involvement of paramilitary groups in the drugs trade, and particularly cocaine, of which Colombia is the largest international source, has contributed to the persistence and extent of the conflict. This trade not only continues to be a major cause of destabilisation in Colombia, but the consequences of the traffic in cocaine can also be seen on our own streets, leading to tragic loss of life.

Ireland and other EU partners closely monitor the situation in Colombia. This includes monitoring the internal civil strife, the related issue of the production and trafficking of illegal drugs and the human rights situation. The EU has expressed its support for the Colombian Government's policies aimed at ensuring the rule of law, legality, security of persons and human rights. At the same time, the EU has also condemned systematic breaches of the most fundamental human rights, including the rights to life and liberty, perpetrated by all groups in Colombia.

Since 2005, the process of bringing an end to terrorism in Colombia has been taken forward under the justice and peace law. This law provides a legal framework for the demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration of illegal armed groups into Colombian society. The law was adopted through a lengthy democratic political process and strikes a difficult balance between working towards an eventual peace and delivering justice.

The process of peace negotiations between the Colombian Government and the right-wing paramilitary group, Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia, AUC, began in 2003, with more than 30,000 combatants having been demobilised on completion of the process in 2007. Negotiations between the major left-wing guerrilla group, Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia, FARC and the government have not yet commenced.

Ireland has supported the ongoing development of the peace process financially through Irish Aid. In particular, multiannual support has been provided to the Organisation of American States to monitor the peace process. This funding has assisted the organisation in supporting the significant progress in demobilisations. The organisation also works closely with the Colombian National Commission for Reparation and Reconciliations, which is one of the main Colombian organisations overseeing the peace process and places particular emphasis on victims.

In the development of any peace process it is vital to ensure that the focus on victims and on human rights is maintained. Ireland has also supported the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to independently monitor the human rights situation and support the Organisation of American States in its mission. In December of this year the third session of the universal periodic review, UPR, process of the UN Human Rights Council will be held in Geneva. Colombia is one of the countries scheduled to be under review. This will provide an opportunity for Ireland and its partners in the EU to, once again, raise the issue of ongoing human rights abuses in Colombia.

The rescue of Ms Betancourt, the change in leadership of the FARC and the most recent statements made by that organisation indicate that a situation may be emerging that might lead to a new phase in which negotiations leading towards a lasting peace can begin. In order to assist in bringing about such a peace, the Government monitors the situation in Colombia on an ongoing basis through our embassy in Mexico City, which is accredited to Colombia, as well as in co-operation with our EU partners with resident diplomatic missions in that country. Ireland will continue to fully support efforts to bring a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Colombia through working with our EU partners and supporting the Government of Colombia in its search for a negotiated solution to the internal armed conflict, including through direct engagement.

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