Vol. 574 No. 3
8 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the murder in Colombia of over 2,000 trade unionists in the past 11 years, the fact that 350 trade union leaders have been murdered, and that such assassinations and intimidation are taking place through the collusion of multinational corporations and private assassination squads. [26700/03]
83 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action he proposes to take during the Irish Presidency of the EU to advance the programme of the declaration of the London meeting on international support for Colombia of 10 July 2003 in relation to human rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26699/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 83 together.
As the Deputy points out, approximately 2,000 trade unionists have been killed in Colombia since 1991, with a particularly heavy toll in 2002 when, according to CUT, the main Colombian congress of trade unions, 172 affiliated members were killed, including 49 senior trade union officials. There were also 26 abductions and 17 attempted abductions last year. A further 164 received death threats and it is alleged that 132 were arbitrarily detained by the state security services.
Amnesty International reports that the number of trade unionists assassinated so far this year is 58. There is also a reduction in the level of kidnapping. However, there are credible reports of a significant increase in death threats to trade unionists and their relatives, and an increase in arbitrary detentions. In regard to the attribution of responsibility for these appalling crimes, Colombian trade union sources blame illegal paramilitary organisations, usually described as right wing, for 80% of all assassinations up to the year 2000. However, more recently they are assigning increasing responsibility to the illegal FARC organisation on the other side of the ideological spectrum. It seems that trade unionists believe that the FARC was responsible for many of the exceptionally high number of murders of their colleagues in 2002.
The 59th Session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in March and April 2003 urged the Government of Colombia to implement measures "to guarantee the right to life, the physical integrity and the ability to function freely of leaders of trade unions and employers' organisations". The commission welcomed the re-activation by the Government of Colombia of the interinstitutional commission for the promotion and protection of workers' human rights. It also expressed the hope that its work would lead to the adoption of additional and more efficient measures to guarantee their life and personal safety and strengthen their protection, in particular by implementing the recommendations of the International Labour Organisation, ILO.
At the same session of the Human Rights Commission, the European Union was particularly concerned to urge the Colombian Government to make the most effective and efficient use of measures in place to fully protect the security and rights of trade unionists, as well as to investigate and bring prosecutions against all those responsible, including members of state forces, who collaborate with paramilitary groups. The EU intervened in the same urgent sense at the March 2003 session of the governing body of the ILO.
Lethal attacks against trade unionists are regrettably just one of many terrible manifestations of the violent conflict which afflicts Colombia and with which Ireland and our EU partners remain closely engaged by affording all possible constructive assistance and co-operation in order to alleviate the plight of the Colombian people, with a view ultimately to a negotiated and peaceful settlement. A meeting in London on 10 July 2003 brought together all Colombia's major donors, including the EU, as well as the Colombian Government itself.
In the London declaration, the international community reaffirmed its political support for the Colombian Government in its efforts to address threats to democracy, terrorism, illegal drugs, human rights and international humanitarian law violations and the serious humanitarian crisis. Delegates also expressed their support for all efforts to develop the fully-functioning institutions of a democratic state throughout the Colombian territory.
On the specific question of human rights, all parties expressed their grave concern and voiced their strong support for the work undertaken by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Colombia. They noted the Colombian Government's pledge to implement the specific, Recommendations for Colombia 2003, contained in the report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights which was submitted to the Commission on Human Rights earlier this year. All parties urged the Colombian Government to proceed promptly to take effective action against impunity and collusion.
As the current Italian Presidency draws to a close in December, the EU will review progress in the implementation of the London declaration. In light of any decisions taken on foot of that review, the incoming Irish Presidency will then assess how best to give effect to those decisions.
Question No. 83, which is being taken with Question No. 8, refers specifically to the London conference of 24 nations, which there is little evidence to suggest had any real effect. I am not arguing in regard to numbers but I understand the annual number for trade unionists killed is about 30 per annum, whereas in 1990-91, the figure was 60. There has been a reduction in the number of assassinations, which must be welcomed.
However, the conference laid down what could be regarded as clearly realisable conditions. The EU came in with about €250 million to support Plan Colombia. However, there is not much evidence that it prosecuted the human rights conditionalities. In regard to the culture of murder in Colombia, the evidence is that the Colombian business sector was making regular use, until recently, of private armies to manage assassinations, which was borne out by the ILO.
I tabled Question No. 8 at the request of those whose spokespersons have been assassinated in their homes after they tried to organise according to their rights. Lawyers have been threatened and the Sub-committee on Human Rights of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs recently met a large delegation of eight or nine people, facilitated by Trócaire among others, who presented numerous instances of intimidation and threats. The suggestion is that some of the multinationals which operate in Colombia are making use of the assassination of trade unionists and are impeding organisation. We should use our influence to secure the commitments of the London conference and we should make it clear where we stand through the ILO and our own trade union organisations in solidarity.
We will be better able to gauge the impact of the London declaration beyond December, when the EU will review progress. Since it is a significant donor, I assume it will take those responsibilities seriously.
I am aware of allegations that some multinationals are providing support to paramilitary groups. I do not wish to comment on individual cases as I understand some are currently the subject of legal action in other jurisdictions. Ireland and its EU partners have long expressed our outright opposition to the paramilitary groups which perpetrate the majority of killings in Columbia and strongly condemn any support or assistance for terrorist groups such as the AUC or other paramilitaries.
I do not know when is the appropriate time to raise this issue but there are allegations against others regarding training and the introduction into Colombia of training in explosives and weaponry which will be used to kill people, including trade unionists. The number of trade unionists and trade union leaders killed in Colombia is appalling. For reasons of due process I will restrain myself and will not ask the question today. I make no allegations against anyone as I do not know who is responsible, but the issue needs to be raised. Will the Minister inform the House whether it is likely that the trial of Irish people in Colombia will be brought to a close and the matter dealt with? When will issues of this nature be debated in a more open and full way?
That is a separate question and not relevant to the question tabled.
It is a separate matter and I do not have a detailed or considered reply to offer. We will continue to discharge our consular responsibilities as a Department for those citizens as they await the outcome of the trial.
