§ Mr. AllanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government is taking to ensure that the Colombian Government fulfils its duty to provide secure working conditions for national and international human rights and humanitarian organisations in Colombia. [160001]
§ Mr. RammellWe fully support the work of national and international NGOs and humanitarian organisations in Colombia. The London Declaration of July 2003 and Conclusions on Colombia at the most recent meeting of the European General Affairs and External Relations Council in January 2004 both highlight the vital role played by civil society in that country. We have also funded four human rights defender posts in areas of Colombia worst affected by the conflict. Their work is vital in ensuring that human rights and humanitarian organisations have secure working conditions. Our embassy in Bogota is in regular contact with the offices of the Vice-President and the418W Human Rights Ombudsman, and regularly raises with both of them specific cases of threats to, and harassment of, NGOs working in Colombia.
§ Mr. AllanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the statement by the Colombian President, on the activities of the lawyers' collective, Jose Alvear Restrepo. [160002]
§ Mr. RammellThe UK has highlighted the vital role of NGOs in Colombia on many occasions, including in the London Declaration of July 2003, and successive conclusions of the European General Affairs and External Relations Council. Such statements call on the Colombian Government to respect the work of civil society and to provide adequate protection and security for those working in such organisations. Regarding the Colectivo de Abogados Jose Alvear Restrepo (CDAJAR), we have great respect for the work of this organisation. The Deputy Head of Mission at our embassy in Bogota last called on them on 4 March 2004.