Political Killings in Colombia
Stephen Lendman | [print_link]
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Colombia, America’s closest South American ally, is a corrupted narco-state, a repressive death squad faux democracy, threatening regional neighbors, and reigning terror against trade unionists, human rights workers, campesinos, pro-democracy organizations, independent journalists, and legitimate resistance groups like the FARC-EP. Established in 1964, James Petras calls it the “longest standing, largest peasant-based guerrilla movement in the world,” persisting valiantly for decades.
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As Uribe’s Defense Minister, James Petras explained that Santos was an assassin, deploying military forces and paramilitary death squads “to kill and terrorize entire population centers, (murdering) over 20,000 people….falsely labeled ‘guerrillas.’ “
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Mandated by the Human Rights Council (HRC), Special Rapporteur Philip Alston issued his March 31, 2010 report, based on his June 8 – 18, 2009 Colombia mission, understating the reality by citing “important gains,” yet nonetheless damning, saying “very serious problems remain.” Calamitous for most Colombians more accurately describes them. PHOTO: (left) FARC guerrilla. Sign reads: “Do not mistreat children as they are the future”.
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As a signatory to international human rights law conventions, including Geneva and its Additional Protocols, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Colombia is legally obligated, international treaties automatically state laws under its Constitution’s Article 93, ones the Uribe, Santos and other past governments spurned with impunity.
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Cold-blooded murder and extrajudicial assassinations are state policy, many thousands affected, the practices continuing unchecked. In 2009, the Ministry of Defense issued bogus human rights mandates throughout the Armed Forces, for show, not serious change.
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Yet, “important steps to reduce paramilitary killings and violence,” were attempted, including demobilizing and reintegrating the AUC. However, “the full picture of the demobilization….shows an alarming level of impunity for former paramilitaries.” In addition, no one has been sentenced nor a full accounting of crimes produced. As a result, truth and justice has been sacrificed, including for victims, “denied the right to restitution and reparation.” PHOTO: (right) Rebel column on the move.
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A Final Note
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Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.