11/11/2005
stampa
invia
The European Union Commission for Latin America wound up a month-long debate
on the Colombian Justicia y Paz law approved by Alvaro Uribe’s government in June and that governs the demobilisation
of paramilitary soldiers. Its final conclusions are emblematic. “The law approved
in Colombia does not sufficiently take the principles of truth, justice and reparation
into consideration in compliance with international standards.”
Reactions in Colombia. The Victims of State Crimes Movement did not tarry in expressing its satisfaction
with the European Union’s statement, and stated its reasons. Established in June
2005 in Bogotá, the Movement is a combination of associations of victims, family
members and survivors, trade unions, and organisations defending the human rights
of women, farmers and young people. “Contrary to what the Colombian government
says regarding demobilisation of the paramilitary structures, we are faced with
a progressive institutionalisation of these groups and the legalisation of properties
stolen from farmers by way of massacres and forced uprooting. The same is true
for the fortunes made through drug trafficking and the serious violations of human
rights and crimes injuring humanity, which still remain unpunished,” Movement
representatives said.
What the victims have to say. “From our point of view – that of the victims – this law is absolutely lacking,
and totally lacks seriousness,” the Movement concluded. “We do not understand
how reparation can be financed when the accounts of those responsible will not
be touched. If the enormous fortunes of the paramilitary soldiers remain intact,
it will be the population that will end up paying for the damages incurred. A
reparation law that starts with the criterion that the funds of international
cooperation – or worse yet, international loans – have to cover the compensation
to the families and to the tortured communities can not be called worthy. Relying
on international aid and leaving the immense fortunes of those holding assets
extracted with force from the desplazados, desaparecidos and those who were murdered
intact is a new affront, a farce for the victims and all Colombians. This is why
we disown the Commission for Reparation and Reconciliation, which professes that
it represents the victims of state crimes. Representation of the victims can not
be decided according to the will of the government. We repeat that we will fight
so that the truth comes to light, those responsible are tried and the collective
memory of our country is restored, while being aware that our journey will be
long.”
stampainvia
EU is lining up against the Colombian law about paramilitary soldiers
The European Union Commission for Latin America wound up a month-long debate
on the Colombian Justicia y Paz law approved by Alvaro Uribe’s government in June and that governs the demobilisation
of paramilitary soldiers. Its final conclusions are emblematic. “The law approved
in Colombia does not sufficiently take the principles of truth, justice and reparation
into consideration in compliance with international standards.”
Calling a stop to the violation of human rights. In spite of the many efforts made by the Colombian government to conceal the
problematic aspects of this law, the final EU document points out the contradictions
of this disarmament process. An effective dismantling of the paramilitary structures
is not sufficiently ensured; it is not contemplated that paramilitary soldiers
confess their illegal and criminal activities; and the victims have limited opportunity
to demand reparations.
Since the European Union is unwilling to allow that the violations of human rights
continue, it will not offer the aids that the Colombian government has requested,
but rather will continue to back the disbandment of the juvenile soldiers in cooperation
with UNICEF.
The stance has also been ratified by research carried out by Human Rights Watch,
Amnesty International, the International Federation for Human Rights and the International
Commission of Jurists, which have released disquieting reports. First and foremost
is HRW’s document entitled “Las apariencias engañan. La desmovilización de grupos paramilitares en Colombia”. Almost 6,000 paramilitary soldiers have been demobilised since 2003. As of
April of this year only 25 of them were held in custody for the atrocities they
had committed.
Reactions in Colombia. The Victims of State Crimes Movement did not tarry in expressing its satisfaction
with the European Union’s statement, and stated its reasons. Established in June
2005 in Bogotá, the Movement is a combination of associations of victims, family
members and survivors, trade unions, and organisations defending the human rights
of women, farmers and young people. “Contrary to what the Colombian government
says regarding demobilisation of the paramilitary structures, we are faced with
a progressive institutionalisation of these groups and the legalisation of properties
stolen from farmers by way of massacres and forced uprooting. The same is true
for the fortunes made through drug trafficking and the serious violations of human
rights and crimes injuring humanity, which still remain unpunished,” Movement
representatives said. “The dialogues between the government and paramilitary organisations themselves
demonstrate in which direction this process is going,” they revealed. “The ceasefire
was not observed. The civilian population is still under paramilitary control
in many areas of the country. Numerous cases in which the revenues of criminal
acts such as gambling, prostitution and smuggling have become legal thanks to
this law have been reported. The links between sectors of politics, the economic
establishment and paramilitary soldiers under investigation are increasingly evident.”
What the victims have to say. “From our point of view – that of the victims – this law is absolutely lacking,
and totally lacks seriousness,” the Movement concluded. “We do not understand
how reparation can be financed when the accounts of those responsible will not
be touched. If the enormous fortunes of the paramilitary soldiers remain intact,
it will be the population that will end up paying for the damages incurred. A
reparation law that starts with the criterion that the funds of international
cooperation – or worse yet, international loans – have to cover the compensation
to the families and to the tortured communities can not be called worthy. Relying
on international aid and leaving the immense fortunes of those holding assets
extracted with force from the desplazados, desaparecidos and those who were murdered
intact is a new affront, a farce for the victims and all Colombians. This is why
we disown the Commission for Reparation and Reconciliation, which professes that
it represents the victims of state crimes. Representation of the victims can not
be decided according to the will of the government. We repeat that we will fight
so that the truth comes to light, those responsible are tried and the collective
memory of our country is restored, while being aware that our journey will be
long.” And the European Union’s stance is to reach out and help these people, these
victims, and Colombia.
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