§ Sandra OsborneTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how he proposes to ensure that funding to Colombia from(a) the EU and (b) the United Kingdom is used for the purposes for which it was given in the light of the Colombian Government's decision to merge the programmes of Plan Colombia, Social Solidarity Network and the Colombian Agency for International Cooperation and to create a single programme instead. [142972]
§ Mr. RammellWe understand the merger is to form a single coordinating agency rather than a single programme of activity.
The UK's contribution to the EU Aid Budget to Colombia is some 19 per cent. Projects are monitored by the European Commission's office in Bogota. The workings of the merger are still settling down and it will be some time before things are completely clear. The European Commission are assessing the situation.
Funding for other UK assistance to Colombia is not channelled through any of these organisations. Our projects are implemented by non-governmental organisations, UN agencies or other Colombian Government bodies. We always ensure the reliability and probity of all our partners.
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§ Sandra OsborneTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy not to support any process of demobilisation of the paramilitaries in Colombia that fails to take into account the rights of the civilian population to truth, justice and reparation. [142973]
§ Mr. RammellBefore agreeing to support any process of demobilisation we would carefully consider all aspects, including the need to take into account the rights of the civilian population to truth, justice and reparation. We have stressed to the Colombian Government that in pursuing a peace process with any of the illegal armed groups that there should be no general amnesty or pardon for those who have committed human rights violations, and that all negotiations should be open, transparent and treated on the same basis.
§ Sandra OsborneTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support the British Government will give to human rights defenders in Colombia: and if it will provide on going financial support to the UN Office on Human Rights. [142974]
§ Mr. RammellWe support publicly the role of human rights defenders, other NGOs and members of civil society in Colombia. We stress the importance of the role they should be given in the reform process, the need for continued dialogue, and for farther urgent and effective measures to protect them, at every opportunity. We will continue to do so.
We continue to provide financial support to the Office of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Bogota. Mr. Allan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent statements by ministers in the Colombian government that (a) the London Declaration of July 2003 is not binding and (b) the Colombian government will not be complying with all the UN recommendations on human rights because national sovereignty is more important than international commitments; and how the British Government will work with the EU to monitor full implementation of the UN recommendations. [143187]
§ Mr. Rammell[holding answer of 10 December 2003]: None of the governments who attended the London Meeting on International Support for Colombia are bound by the London Declaration. It is a declaration not a legal document. Nevertheless, political commitments were made at the Meeting which are reflected in the Declaration. We continue to stress to the Colombian Government the importance of keeping to these commitments.
We are working with EU partners through the Working Group in Bogota of the governments who attended the London Meeting to monitor implementation of the London Declaration, including UN recommendations. We have requested an end of year evaluation.
§ Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications of recent accusations made by members of the Colombian military against(a) the displaced civilian populations of the Cacarica River basin and Jiguamiendo, (b) the ombudsman 583W of Cacarica, (c) Peace Brigades International and (d) Justice and Peace for the Colombian Government's compliance with commitments they gave in July at the London Conference. [143198]
§ Mr. RammellWe have stressed to the Colombian Government that such blanket public accusations are inappropriate and run the risk of being counterproductive. I made this clear to the Colombian Foreign Minister when I met her in September in New York and issued a press statement following the meeting. If there are credible allegations of impropriety by individual organisations, they should be investigated by due judicial process.