Written Answers. - Foreign Conflicts.
Enda Kenny
Question:
110
Mr. Kenny
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if his attention has been drawn to concerns regarding the disappearance of the Colombian politician, Ingrid Betancourt, who is allegedly being held by FARC; if he has raised the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[21555/02]
Liz McManus
Question:
129
Ms McManus
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
the Government's views on the recommendation contained in the recently published Amnesty International Report on San Vicente del Caguan in Colombia; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[21433/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 129 together.
Ingrid Betancourt is one of many kidnap victims – politicians and others – of the FARC terrorist group in Colombia. President Uribe has indicated that he is pursuing what he has called "imaginative ideas" for the release of the kidnap victims. It is very much to be hoped that these avenues may soon bring a positive outcome.
San Vicente del Caguan is the municipality at the centre of the "clearance zone" ceded by the former Colombian Government to the FARC in November 1998 to facilitate peace negotiations which came to an end in February 2OO2 when the FARC were obliged to leave the zone. In a report last month, Amnesty International pointed out that "although the human rights situation in San Vincente del Caguan is not as severe as in other parts of the country . . . the situation could deteriorate." The report makes a series of recommendations to the Colombian Government, to the FARC and to the international community. The two recommendations specifically addressed to the international community are:
Foreign governments, especially the "friendly countries" and intergovernmental organisations, which played an active role in the peace process, should develop a coherent strategy for closely monitoring the human rights situation and the impact of the new Colombian government's policies and its progress in adopting measures which are in line with the recommendations of the UN and other international organisations.
The international community must increase its in situ monitoring of the human rights situation in San Vicente del Caguan and the other municipalities of the former DMZ and support mechanisms complementary to the work of the UN Office in Colombia to ensure greater in situ monitoring.
Ireland and our EU partners are taking these recommendations into account in the examination of how best we may be able to assist in advancing progress towards a peaceful outcome in Colombia based inter alia on increased respect for human rights.
Ireland and the EU attach great importance to the commitment by President Uribe to seek a negotiated solution to the conflict. He has called for a cessation of violence by the illegal armed groups in order to enable talks to commence. We will support such talks as the only way of bringing about a lasting peace, and we welcome President Uribe's invitation to the UN to play a central facilitating role.
Ireland and the EU will also support the Colombian government and people in meeting the daunting array of challenges – political, economic and social – which face them. We welcome President Uribe's commitment to meet these challenges, including those posed by terrorism and drug trafficking – with full respect for the principles of democracy, for human rights and for the rule of law.
The Irish Government and its partners condemn all violations of human rights and of international humanitarian law in Colombia, as well as the campaign of intimidation against mayors and town councillors throughout Colombia, which constitute an offence against democracy. The role of the Bogota office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is particularly important in this respect. We will support efforts by the new Government to end the endemic impunity and to bring the full force of the law to bear on all those responsible for crimes.
We also believe that special attention must be paid to social and economic reforms if there is to be a lasting solution with social justice. The EU stands ready to continue assisting the Colombian government and people in the preparation and implementation of such reforms, as well as in necessary measures to promote peace and reconciliation.
Question No. 111 answered with Question No. 94.
