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Colombia: Justice

Volume 700: debated on Monday 21 April 2008

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What matters are covered in the United Kingdom’s advisory role to the Colombian authorities on reform of the Colombian military justice system. [HL2897]

The UK has been working for several years with the Colombian authorities to improve human rights standards in the Colombian military. This is mainly achieved through workshops, which include participants from the Colombian Ministry of Defence, armed forces, police and other relevant institutions such as the public prosecutor's office and international organisations.

Our work with the Colombian military on reform of the military justice system is founded on respect for human rights. Under Colombian law, cases involving human rights abuses are the responsibility of the public prosecutor's office and are not dealt with within the military justice system. We have helped to develop formal liaison between the various agencies involved in the investigation and prosecution of offences allegedly committed by members of the armed forces and police, with a view to improving investigatory and judicial processes.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What advice they gave the Colombian authorities regarding the inclusion of cases of human rights abuse within the Colombian military justice system. [HL2898]

The UK has been working for several years with the Colombian authorities to improve human rights standards in the Colombian military. This is mainly achieved through workshops, which include participants from the Colombian Ministry of Defence, armed forces, police and other relevant institutions, such as the public prosecutor’s office and international organisations.

Our work with the Colombian military on reform of the military justice system is founded on respect for human rights. Under Colombian law, cases involving human rights abuses are the responsibility of the public prosecutor’s office and are not dealt with within the military justice system. We have helped to develop formal liaison between the various agencies involved in the investigation and prosecution of offences allegedly committed by members of the armed forces and police, with a view to improving investigatory and judicial processes.