HL Deb 24 July 2001 vol 626 cc207-8WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are discussing with Colombia and the United States the probable consequences of Plan Colombia; and whether they will continue to provide moral and material support of the village of San Jose de Apartado and other places in Colombia which seek to function as zones of peace. [HL380]

Baroness Amos

We continue to have extensive discussions with the Colombian Government, and with the US Administration, about developments in Colombia, including the peace process and the implementation of Plan Colombia, as well as the development of the EU package we are supporting.

The British Embassy in Bogota is in regular contact with the Colombian authorities on the safety and protection of vulnerable groups, including members of the peace communities in the Departments of Choco and Antioquia. British Embassy officials in Bogota raised our specific concerns about the peace community in San Jose de Apartado with the Head of the Human Rights Unit at the Vice Presidency on 9 May 2001 and with the Prosecutor General's Office on 7 June 2001.

The UK and Dutch Governments are co-sponsoring a project proposed by the peace community to build a refuge in the town of Rio Sucio where members of the community can stay.