To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contact his Department has had with staff of the Colombian embassy in relation to prisoners held for political reasons by the Colombian authorities in the last three years; and if he will make a statement. (317799)

I raised this issue with the Colombian ambassador last week. We wholly condemn any Government who target or imprison individuals for their political orientation. We are aware of allegations that Colombian individuals are being imprisoned or charged with offences as a result of their political views or activities, and have pointed out to the Colombian authorities that those charged with crimes should have their legal rights fully respected, including the right to a fair trial. However, it is for the Colombian judicial system to assess any such cases, including exercise of the right of habeas corpus.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have made to the Government of Colombia on the fate of (a) human rights defender Carmelo Agamez Berrio and (b) trade unionist Liliany Obando. (317882)

We have not made any representations on the case of Carmelo Agamez Berrio.

As for Liliany Obando, we wrote in April 2009 to the Director of the Presidential Human Rights Programme and to the Director of International Affairs at the Prosecutor General’s office requesting details about her case. We never received a response from the Director of the Presidential Human Rights Programme. On 25 June 2009, the Prosecutor General’s office informed us that Ms Obando’s case was going through the last stages of the legal accusatory process. She has been charged with

“rebellion and the administration of resources related with terrorist activities”.

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Minister raised her case personally with Colombian Foreign Minister Bermudez in London last month, and we subsequently received a letter from the Colombian ambassador updating us with the news that there have been three public hearings of her case between August and December 2009, and that two more public hearings were scheduled to happen this week. I am writing to the Colombian Deputy Foreign Minister to further register our continued interest in the case.