Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 681: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the issue of the slaughter of 22 campesinos in Colombia on 4 and 5 December 2005 will be raised; and the links of these paramilitaries to the armed forces of Colombia. [40351/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I share the concerns of the Deputy on the reported killing of 22 people in the Curumani region of Colombia, near the border with Venezuela. Investigations by the Organisation of American States and the Colombian authorities indicate that the number killed was in fact lower, at eight dead and one person missing. The reports suggest that the killings took place in the context of a territorial dispute between elements of the right wing Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia, AUC, paramilitaries and the left wing Ejército de Liberación Nacional, ELN. A criminal investigation is underway. The killings have been widely condemned.

Ireland is committed to supporting the ongoing peace process in Colombia, which aims to end the 40 year internal conflict in that country. The EU General Affairs and External Relations Council adopted conclusions on Colombia on 3 October 2005 which principally address the Columbian Justice and Peace Law. That law provides an overall legal framework for demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration of illegal armed groups into society. The law, which was adopted through a lengthy democratic political process, strikes a difficult balance between peace and justice. The overall assessment of the Council was that, if implemented effectively and in a transparent manner, the law will have a positive effect on peace building in Colombia. At its meeting on 7 November 2005, the Council reiterated the need to intensify support for the Colombian peace process.

The conclusions address the need for a negotiated peace settlement and call for illegal armed groups to demobilise. They also call on all parties to the conflict to respect human rights and international humanitarian law and commend the work of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Colombia.

The peace process in Colombia is making some progress, with a process of dialogue underway between the AUC and the Colombian Government. The Colombian Government is hopeful that up to 95% of right-wing paramilitaries grouped under the AUC banner will have disbanded by 15 February 2006. In addition, representatives from the Colombian Government and the ELN met in Cuba in December 2005 and are expected to meet there again next month with the aim of agreeing an agenda for more formal peace talks.

Ireland is contributing €390,000 over a three-year period to the Organisation of American States, OAS, peace and verification mission in Colombia. The mission's mandate is to provide comprehensive support to the Colombian peace process with a focus both on the demobilisation process and on the strengthening of institutions concerned with the rule of law. Promoting and defending human rights and justice are guiding principles of the mission. Ireland will work closely with its colleagues in this mission, including in ensuring that human rights standards are maintained during the process. Furthermore, an additional €130,000 has been contributed to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights for the independent monitoring of human rights issues in support of the OAS mission in Colombia.