I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 25 March 2010, Official Report, column 425W to the hon. Member for East Dunbartonshire (Jo Swinson) and can inform him that since then our ambassador has written a follow up letter to Carlos Franco, Director of the Presidential Human Rights Programme, requesting an update into the investigation and asking for an explanation of the difference between the Procurador General’s findings and those of the Human Rights Programme.
(a) Our embassy in Bogota and our representation at the EU in Brussels have constant contact with other EU member states on Human Rights issues in Colombia.
(b) As stated in my answer of 25 March I met human rights activist Carolina Hoyos on 16 March where we discussed the mass graves in La Macarena. We work closely with non-governmental organisations and human rights defenders in Colombia.
We received assurances in Carlos Franco’s letter of 16 February that the Colombian Government has instructed the police to adopt special security measures around the site of the mass grave.
We trust that the Colombian Government will conduct a thorough investigation.
I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 25 March 2010, Official Report, column 425W to the hon. Member for East Dunbartonshire (Jo Swinson) and can inform him that since then our ambassador has written a follow up letter to Carlos Franco, Director of the Presidential Human Rights Programme, requesting an update into the investigation and asking for an explanation of the difference between the Procurador General’s findings and those of the Human Rights Programme.
Our embassy in Bogota is currently looking at logistical arrangements for a possible fact finding visit to the site.
No, but we will continue to raise these matters directly with the Colombian Government.
We are awaiting responses from the Director of the Presidential Human Rights Programme and the Office of the Procurator General. Given the complex nature of DNA and forensic investigations we do not expect further updates for a number of weeks.
No request has been received from the Colombian Government for assistance on the investigation but we would consider the merits of any such request, including financial viability.
Our embassy will liaise with the Procurador General's office, and if and when an official report is made public, we will provide a copy to the Library of the House. We have contacted the Procurador General's office who has informed us that the investigation is still at the preliminary verification stage and that they are currently building up an historic memory. As developments into the investigation proceed our embassy will regularly liaise with EU member states and human rights organisations, as part of our constant contact with these groups.
We have received no reports or representations on battalions operating in the La Macarena area. However, the organisation DHBAJOARIARI follows up on cases which are allegedly committed by the state and includes issues such as forced disappearances, extra-judicial killings. The organisation has not directly lobbied us on any individual incidents.