asked Her Majesty’s Government:

Whether media reports of United Kingdom support for the Colombian army’s III Brigade intelligence department are correct and, if so, what is the nature of that support and whether they are satisfied that such support complies with the recommendations of the United Nations special rapporteur on actions regarding human rights defenders. [HL2900]

We do not divulge details of the support that we provide to the Colombian Government because to do so could not only endanger the effectiveness of the support but play into the hands of ruthless and powerful drugs-trafficking cartels. The Parliamentary Ombudsman has upheld this decision.

Our work with the Colombian Government, including with the Ministry of Defence, is specifically aimed at countering the threat of cocaine to the UK and at helping to improve the human rights situation, including through demining work. We do not offer the Colombian Government training in counterinsurgency operations.

We fully endorse and support the recommendations of the United Nations special rapporteur on actions regarding human rights defenders and we closely supervise the use of British resources in an effort to ensure that the highest operational, ethical and human rights standards are maintained by the people whom we are working with.