§ Andrew MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received concerning the plans of President Uribe in Colombia to pass a constitutional amendment in order to allow him to run for a second term; and if he will make a statement. [170239]
§ Mr. RammellThrough our Embassy in Bogota we are monitoring the on-going debate within Colombia on the question of allowing a serving or former President to stand for re-election. Clearly such a step must be agreed through the proper constitutional channels. This is an internal matter for the people of Colombia and their elected representatives to decide. and one that would involve a lengthy legislative process including approval from the country's Constitutional Court. In any event, we will continue to work with the democratically elected Government of Colombia on issues of mutual interest.
§ Andrew MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the Colombian Government concerning the protection of human rights defenders in that country; and if he will make a statement. [170241]
§ Mr. RammellWe make frequent representations to the Government of Colombia on human rights matters, including the important issue of the safety of human rights defenders. Human rights are at the heart of our policy towards Colombia. Our Embassy in Bogota last discussed these issues with the Colombian Government on 21 April. The need to respect human rights defenders and the work of their organisations was highlighted in the statement by the Chairperson on "the Situation of Human Rights in Colombia" at the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva only last month. It was also underlined in the EU statement on Colombia at the same forum.