HC Deb 27 March 2001 vol 365 c613W
20. Mr. Goggins

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made on human rights in Colombia to the 57th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. [154107]

Mr. Battle

We are very concerned about increasing levels of violence in Colombia In recent months, particularly directed at trade unionists such as Wilson Borja and other human rights defenders. We have raised our concerns directly with the Colombian authorities. I issued a statement on 13 February reiterating our concerns. The President of the European Union intends to issue a statement on the situation in Colombia on behalf of all EU member states at the 57th Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights taking place in Geneva at the moment.

I did discuss these matters in Geneva last week with the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson.

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