by René Lavanchy
BRITISH military aid to Colombia must end and the Colombian government must clean up its “human rights crimes”, according to a delegation of British MPs and British and American trade unionists who have returned from a visit to the country.
Former defence minister Peter Kilfoyle, a member of the delegation, told Tribune he would contact the FCO after the delegation declared that President Alvaro Uribe’s government was “complicit” in human rights abuses such as the jailing of political opponents and helping paramilitary groups murder trade unionists.
Trade unionists in the United States are meanwhile calling on their government not to sign a free trade agreement with Colombia until the human rights situation improves. The calls may overshadow a meeting between President Obama and Mr Uribe planned for this week.
The delegation spent several days in Colombia meeting trade unionists, indigenous peoples, human rights activists and prisoners. They also held a video conference with Mr Uribe, during which he reportedly begged them not to seek an end to British military aid.
In a final statement, they said: “We have no doubts on the evidence given that the Colombian government… are complicit in human rights crimes. We are convinced also that the murderous activities of the paramilitary forces are condoned and actively supported by the government and army.”
Mr Kilfoyle said this week: “We will certainly be taking this up with the Foreign Office and hopefully get some kind of debate going in Parliament.”
The Foreign Office rejected the accusations against the Colombian government.
