Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 February 2007
101 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the implications of the suspension under pressure from international mining companies of protected measures given to the President of a company (details supplied) by the Colombian Government; and if this action has been considered by the human rights agencies of the European Union. [4334/07]
View answerI understand from media reports that the individual referred to by the Deputy, a trade union president, has been accorded protective measures by the Government of Colombia since 2004. While I am aware of reports that a number of the protective measures previously granted by the Colombian Government to the individual in question have been withdrawn, I have no information on the involvement of international mining companies in this matter, nor do I have substantive information on the level of protective measures which remain in place.
I am not aware of any action being considered by the EU human rights bodies in relation to this case. However, I have requested that our Embassy in Mexico City, which is accredited to Colombia, raise this case with EU partner Embassies resident in Bogotá and report back to the Department.
