InfoBrief - February 22, 2006

US Current Affairs and Media

• United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Releases 2005 Report on Colombia The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) released this week their annual comprehensive report on the human rights situation in Colombia for 2005. The report documented instances in 2005 of murder, kidnapping, extortion, threats, displacement, and sexual violence that can be attributed to each of the three main actors in Colombia’s civil war: national security forces, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), and the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC). The High Commissioner’s report addressed the complacency and inaction on the part of the Colombian state that she believes augment the perilous situation in Colombia. While maintaining, “these serious violations are not part of a deliberate policy by the State,” she insists that, “the lack of full acknowledgement of the problem by the Government, as well as the absence of sufficient relevant actions by the authorities, impeded correction of this difficult situation--certain practices constituting violations have become patterns of conduct.” However, the report also refers to “actions attributed to members of the security forces--involving disregard for the humanitarian principle of distinction,” and cites cases in Caquetá and San José de Apartadó as evidence where security forces have attacked civilians. The UNHCHR report also assesses the paramilitary demobilization process through the end of 2005, noting that the provisions of demobilization legislation “do not expressly establish that the absence of effective compliance with these principles impedes the concession of benefits.” As such, the High Commissioner expressed concerns that the demobilization process would be hindered by the absence of mechanisms designed to ensure compliance in exchange for benefits such as reduced prison sentences, job retraining, and stipends. The report concludes with a detailed set of recommendations for the Colombian government, and places particular emphasis on working within the parameters of international humanitarian and human rights norms. Colombian Vice President Francisco Santos Calderón issued a statement in response to the report, acknowledging the need for further work to “achieve the full effect of human rights in Colombia." Read the UNHCHR 2005 Report on Colombia.
• Colombian Army Chief Resigns Amid Soldier Abuse Scandal General Reinaldo Castellanos resigned this week following an explosive article in the weekly Colombian news magazine Semana. The article reports instances of beatings, burnings, and even sexual assault committed in January against 21 new recruits by their superiors. President Alvaro Uribe issued a stern, prompt criticism of the army for its complacency in the incidents, as well as for its slow release of information prior to the article. General Mario Montoya has been named new army chief and will assume all responsibilities of that position, effective immediately. Semana published extremely graphic photos of 18 year-old recruits being branded, forced to eat animal excrement, and sexually assaulted. Some Colombian military analysts, while applauding the government’s attention to the issue, feel that the forced resignation of General Castellanos is an unnecessary casualty of the scandal. Known for his excellent field tactics and for his success against the FARC, Castellanos has been referred to on several different occasions as “a very capable military leader.”

Take Action and Promote Human Rights in Colombia!

• Representatives Sam Farr (D-CA) and Jim McGovern (D-MA) have drafted a letter to Secreatary of State Condolezza Rice, asking that she withhold further military aid to Colombia pending a thorough investigation of possible human rights violations committed by the Colombian government. The letter is circulating throughout the House of Representatives until February 28. Contact your local representative and urge them to sign onto Farr and McGovern's letter! Read both letters, provided by Latin America Working Group (LAWG).