Written answers

Wednesday, 1 June 2005

Department of Foreign Affairs

Foreign Conflicts

8:00 pm

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 175: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the conflict in Columbia and the efforts to develop a peace process there. [18718/05]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has been following closely the ongoing developments in the peace process in Colombia. Ireland, along with its European Union partners, supports the Colombian Government in its search for a negotiated solution to the conflict. The most recent statement of Irish and European Union policy in this regard is set out in the conclusions of the General Affairs and External Relations Council of 13 December 2004.

In the Colombian peace process, an essential element is the need for a comprehensive legal framework for the process of disarmament,demobilisation and reintegration of the illegal armed groups, based on the principles of truth, justice and reparation. This was emphasised in the Cartagena Declaration which was adopted at a meeting on international support for Colombia on 3-4 February 2005 in Cartagena, at which Ireland was represented. The Colombian Government has since then introduced a justice and peace Bill in the Colombian Congress, which it argues will provide such a framework.

At the recent 61st session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, Ireland, together with our EU partners, worked actively on negotiating the text of the chair's statement on the situation of human rights in Colombia adopted by the commission. The final statement reiterated the commission's support to the Government of Colombia in its search for a negotiated solution to the internal armed conflict including through direct engagement with those illegal armed groups who may be prepared to cease all hostilities and undertake a constructive and significant peace process, and welcomed the efforts and achievements to date of the Government in this regard. The commission also expressed grave concern at the situation of human rights and international humanitarian law in Colombia.

Of the main illegal armed groups, neither the FARC nor the ELN has, at the present time, agreed to cease its military activities, kidnappings and other illegal actions and to enter into negotiations for a peaceful resolution of the conflict. There are indications that the FARC has stepped up its military actions. The right wing paramilitary group, AUC, has agreed to a ceasefire and there have been ongoing negotiations between them and the Government about disbanding. There have, however, been serious concerns that elements of the AUC are not complying with their obligations and commitments under the negotiations to cease all military activities.

My Department will continue to monitor the situation in Colombia, and particularly the progress of the justice and peace Bill, through our embassy in Mexico City, as well as in co-operation with our EU partners with resident embassies in Colombia.

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