To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evidence he collects on the effectiveness of the human rights training delivered to the Colombian military by the UK. (262018)

[holding answer 9 March 2009]: We monitor civil society, media and UN reports on the Colombian military's human rights performance. UK co-operation with the Colombian Ministry of Defence strongly influenced their new Integral Policy on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, and reinforced their work with UN Agencies.

While these new policies are to be welcomed, we are concerned by recent reports of abuses committed or allowed by members of the Colombian army. I issued a statement on the issue on 30 October 2008:

“The Colombian government's decision to dismiss a number of army officers as a result of recent extra-judicial killings and cases of criminal conspiracy is important. It is vital, not least for Colombia's international reputation, that the government and courts continue to show a determination to deal with human rights abuses committed by members of the armed forces, and that those convicted by the civilian justice system are punished appropriately.”

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much has been spent on military aid to Colombia in each year since 1999. (262581)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 January 2009, Official Report, column 358W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what requirements are placed on Colombian military personnel to adhere to human rights standards before they receive UK training. (262709)

The UK requires that Colombian armed forces personnel who undertake UK training courses do not have any formal human rights convictions or pending investigations. The current policy of the Colombian armed forces is that personnel with a formal human rights allegation against their name are suspended and therefore ineligible to receive UK or any other international training.