Colombia (Hansard, 14 June 2004)

§ Tony Lloyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has received about the role of the Colombian armed forces in the killing of civilians in the communities of Flor Amarillo and Cravo Charo in the Colombian department of Araunca on 21 May 2004; and if he will make a statement. [177693]

§ Mr. Rammell
We are aware of the allegations of involvement by the Colombian armed forces in these incidents. Our embassy in Bogota has raised our concerns with the Colombian authorities and is pressing them to provide further details. We consistently urge the Colombian authorities to crack down on any reported cases of human rights abuses by the security forces or of collusion with the illegal armed groups.

§ Mr. Drew
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on human rights abuses in Colombia, with particular reference to the treatment of trade unionists. [178000]

§ Mr. Rammell
Human rights abuses in Colombia remain unacceptably high, although we have seen a decline in recent years in the numbers of cases. We are very concerned about abuses against all vulnerable groups, including trades unionists. We are engaged in an on-going dialogue with the Government of Colombia, the UN, EU and other international partners and civil society groups on how to improve the human rights situation in Colombia. As I made clear to the House on 23 March 2004,Official Report, columns 237–41WH, human rights are at the heart of our policy towards Colombia. The issue will be at the top of the agenda for discussion with the Colombians when I visit the country later this month. Rory Murphy of the TUC is due to be with me during that visit.

§ Mr. Drew
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the level of kidnapping occurring in Colombia; and what discussions he has had with the Colombian authorities on this. [178001]

§ Mr. Rammell
The level of kidnapping in Colombia, a serious human rights abuse, remains alarmingly and unacceptably high, even though 2003 saw an estimated decrease to 2,200 from 2,986 in 2002. Illegal armed groups and criminal gangs are largely responsible for the kidnaps, presenting a huge challenge for the Colombian security forces. We have worked closely with the Colombian authorities in individual cases of kidnapped British nationals. We support the Colombian Government in the efforts they are making to bring peace and security to the country, while urging them to do so in full observance of international human rights standards.