§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
How they intend to monitor the performance by Colombia of its human rights obligations, as required by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and incorporated in the Declaration of the London Meeting on International Support 138WA for Colombia in July 2003; and whether they will develop a public strategy for aligning their aid policy to specific performance of those obligations. [HL5042]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanA working group of 10 representatives of the governments who attended the London Meeting on International Support for Colombia has been set up in Bogotá to oversee follow-up action on the London Declaration. The group will work with civil society, the LIN and the Colombian Government on preparatory work for a donors' co-ordination conference. The group will also monitor the Colombian Government's implementation of the UN recommendations.
There are no plans to attach formal conditions to the provision of aid to Colombia, but we have made clear that our continued support was dependent on complete respect for human rights and international humanitarian law. I also refer the noble Lord to the Answer that my honourable friend the then Minister for International Development (Hilary Benn) gave on 26 June 2003, (Official Report, Commons, col. 940W). The Department for International Development is phasing out its bilateral programme to Colombia with the last project due to finish this year, but the department does provide support through the European Commission.
§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What public statements have been made by Foreign Office Ministers during visits to Colombia or at international meetings about violations of human rights in Colombia. [HL5043]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanDuring his visit to Colombia in May, my honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Bill Rammell) spoke at the Euroamerica Foundation Conference. In his speech he raised our concerns about the human rights situation in Colombia. The London Declaration, which was issued following the London meeting on international support for Colombia on 10 July, reflected such concerns. The Minister also raised these matters with the Colombian Foreign Minister in the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York in September, after which he issued a press statement.
§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will consult their European Union partners on a visa ban against Colombian officers implicated in human rights violations. [HL5044]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanAny EU action would be taken on the basis of Article 15 TEU, and would therefore need to be agreed by unanimity among all member states. There are no plans for the UK to pursue this at this time. All visa applications for the UK are considered on their own merits and on the applicant's circumstances at the time Proven involvement in criminal activity, including human rights abuses/violations, would have a bearing on the outcome of the application.