Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 26 Mar 1997

Vol. 477 No. 1

Written Answers. - Colombian Paramilitary Killings.

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

90 Kathleen Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the reassurances, if any, he has received from the Colombian authorities that the killings and death threats by the paramilitaries said to be closely associated with the Colombian military will cease; the investigations, if any, which have taken place in this regard; if so, the results of those investigations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8480/97]

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

91 Kathleen Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the action, if any, he intends taking in view of the scale of recent paramilitary killings in Segovia, Yondo, Vegachi and other places throughout Colombia, in view of the concern expressed by him over the threats made against persons (details supplied) on the occasion of their visit to Ireland before Christmas, 1996, and in the view of the action taken by him at that time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8481/97]

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

92 Kathleen Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the action, if any, which is being taken by Ireland and the EU at the current session of the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva in relation to the recent killings by paramilitary groups in Segovia, Colombia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8482/97]

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

93 Kathleen Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the action, if any, which will be taken in relation to Colombia at EU and UN level in view of the continued human rights abuses there, including death threats and killings, in the four month interval since the visit to Ireland of persons (details supplied) and in view of the failure on the part of the Colombian authorities to dismantle the paramilitary groups which operate with complete impunity as witnessed by the recent killings in Segovia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8483/97]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 90, 91, 92 and 93 together.

The situation in Colombia is very complex. The Colombian Government has been involved in counter-insurgency operations against various guerilla groups for over 30 years. Colombia also suffers gravely from violence perpetrated by armed drug traffickers and narco-terrorists.

In December 1996, I wrote to Dr. Lemos Simmonds, Vice-President of Colombia and Ambassador to London, expressing my grave concern in respect of the activity of paramilitary groups. I asked Dr. Simmonds to inform me of the results of his government's investigation into acts of violence in the area. I received assurances from the Colombian Government that the issue and specifically the killings at the Marulanda Ranch would be investigated.

An agreement to establish an office in Bogota, under the auspices of the UN, to monitor human rights abuses and to offer technical assistance has been signed with the Government of Colombia. The office will be funded largely by the European Union and will be headed by a national of an EU member state, Spain. This indicates the degree of commitment which both the EU and the UN have to continue to address directly the question of human rights in Colombia and to press the Colombian Government to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms and to fully honour its commitments in that regard under the relevant international instruments and conventions.

Ireland as a member of the UN Commission on Human rights is concerned to ensure that proper attention is paid to the human rights situation in Colombia. This year, as in previous years, it is expected that the Chairman of the Commission on Human Rights will make a statement, on behalf of the Commission, detailing its concern at the human rights situation in Colombia, and measures necessary to redress this. Ireland will play a full part in seeking to ensure that recent developments are fully reflected in the Chairman's statement.

I will continue to monitor closely the situation in Colombia and to press the Colombian government to respect human rights.

Barr
Roinn