Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 238: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is correct that Columbian security forces have killed civilians and covered it up by dressing the bodies as guerrillas; and if same came up recently in a United Nations human rights report. [7242/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The report issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, UNHCHR, on Colombia on 20 January 2006 states that while a number of indicators of violence at the national level continue to show a downward trend, the human rights situation in Colombia remains problematic. There are credible reports of extra-judicial executions, forced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, torture and other cruel and degrading treatment, and attacks on the freedom of expression. As the UNHCHR report acknowledges, such violations are not part of a deliberate state policy, but the report challenges the Colombian Government to do more to surmount these problems, including by seeking to end impunity. The High Commissioner considers it vital that the country overcomes the internal armed conflict by way of dialogue and negotiation.

The report further highlights the complete disregard and disdain for human rights and humanitarian duties shown by the illegal armed groups, particularly the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionárias de Colombia, FARC. This is reflected in the persistence of massacres, murders and indiscriminate attacks. The Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia, AUC, is also reported to persist in committing grave breaches such as murders, threats and attacks on the civilian population.

Ireland was actively involved in negotiating the chairperson's statement on the situation of human rights in Colombia which was adopted on 22 April 2005 at the 61st session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights held in Geneva. That statement condemned all breaches of international humanitarian law in Colombia and called on all parties to the conflict to respect human rights. The statement also noted that, in 2004, illegal armed groups were responsible for the vast majority of criminal acts and breaches of international humanitarian law. It strongly urged such groups to comply with international humanitarian law and to respect the population's legitimate exercise of their human rights.

Ireland monitors the human rights situation in Colombia along with its partners in the European Union. On 3 October 2005 the General Affairs and External Relations Council reiterated its call on all parties to the conflict to respect human rights and international humanitarian law. The conclusions principally address the Colombian Justice and Peace Law, which provides an overall legal framework for demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration of illegal armed groups into society. The overall assessment of the Council was that if implemented effectively and in a transparent manner, the Justice and Peace Law will have a positive effect on peace-building in Colombia. The conclusions also commended the work of the UNHCHR in Colombia and confirmed the EU's willingness to work closely with it. At its meeting on 7 November 2005, the Council reiterated the need to intensify support for the Colombian peace process.

The peace process in Colombia is making some progress. A process of dialogue is under way between the AUC and the Colombian Government. In addition, representatives from the Colombian Government and the Ejército de Liberación Nacional de Colombia, ELN, met in Cuba in December 2005 and it is hoped that the two sides will meet in Cuba again in the near future with the aim of agreeing an agenda for more formal peace talks. There are no signs of equivalent progress with the FARC, however.

Ireland, together with the EU, will continue to monitor the human rights situation in Colombia. 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 and should avail of the opportunities presented by the Justice and Peace Law.