Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 600: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Colombia has the worst record in the world for violations of human rights; and if he will investigate the UN Commission on Human Rights report on Colombia 2005. [24615/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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At the recent 61st session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights held in April 2005 in Geneva, Ireland, together with our EU partners, worked actively towards the adoption by the commission of the chair's statement on the situation of human rights in Colombia. The statement condemns all breaches of international humanitarian law in Colombia and calls on all parties to the conflict to respect human rights. The statement also notes that, in 2004, illegal armed groups were responsible for the vast majority of criminal acts and breaches of international humanitarian law. It strongly urges such groups to comply with international humanitarian law and to respect the legitimate exercise by the population of their human rights.

Real progress towards an improvement in the human rights situation for all the people of Colombia is most likely to be made in the context of a settlement of the internal armed conflict. All those involved should respond positively to invitations to negotiate.

The Commission on Human Rights has asked for a further report on the situation at its 2006 session. Ireland, together with our EU partners, will continue to monitor the human rights situation in Colombia on an ongoing basis.