To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has made representations to the Government of Colombia on reports of its treatment of representatives of (a) trade unions, (b) students, (c) indigenous peoples and (d) other groups. (314839)

We regularly raise human rights with President Uribe and other members of the Colombian Government with reference to the plight of vulnerable groups such as those mentioned. Our embassy in Bogota also makes representations to the Colombian Government in specific cases of abuse.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Government of Colombia on the case of the trade union representative, Alirio Garcia. (314840)

Yes. I will raise Mr. Garcia's case with the Colombian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Adriana Mejia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the operation of the justice system in Colombia. (314841)

There are serious problems facing Colombia's judicial system, and the issue of impunity remains a particular concern. There is a lack of accountability for state forces guilty of human rights violations, and for crimes committed by non-state actors. These are issues I regularly raise with the Colombian Government.

We are funding two projects aimed at tackling impunity in Colombia at present, totalling £250,000. The largest of these projects is being implemented by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and is being tailored to meet the needs of those involved in the Colombian judicial process, including investigators, lawyers and judges.