More U.S. military aid could fuel Colombia crisis

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More U.S. military aid could fuel Colombia crisis
The U.S. Senate's decision to lift the restrictions that have so far prevented U.S. military aid from being used in the war against armed opposition groups in Colombia could exacerbate further the already spiralling human rights crisis in the country, Amnesty International (AI) said on July 26.

The U.S. House and Senate have both passed the final version of the Emergency Supplemental appropriations bill. The bill includes language lifting the restriction of U.S. aid use to counter-narcotics efforts. The new language allows for "a unified campaign" against narcotics trafficking and "against activities by organizations designated as terrorist organizations," "and to take actions to protect human health and welfare in emergency circumstances," such as rescue operations. With passage of the conference report in both Houses, the bill will be sent toPresident Bush for signing.

According to AI, the Colombian armed forces' counter-insurgency strategy continues to be characterized—through their continued collusion with paramilitary forces —by the systematic and widespread violation of human rights. AI warned against any dilution of the human rights conditions attached to military aid.

"Expanding and deepening U.S. involvement in Colombia's conflict without evidence of improvements in the government's human rights policies may result in worsening an already grave human rights situation," an AI spokesperson said.

"We have seen no decisive action to break links between the security forces and the paramilitary groups, or to combat and dismantle these groups," AI said, adding that the failure of the Colombian army to counter paramilitary forces is not due to military deficiencies—as Colombian commanders have argued—but rather to lack of political will.

According to AI, the sites of paramilitary bases are frequently known to the security forces and are often located in the immediate vicinity of military bases; military units continue to carry out operations in coordination with paramilitaries; and paramilitary groups have been shielded from arrest and prosecution because of the continued support they have received from the security forces.

"If the U.S. administration were truly committed to human rights concerns, it would be insisting the Colombian government fully implement recommendations made by the United Nations to end impunity in cases of human rights violations, combat and dismantle army-backed paramilitary groups and guarantee the safety of human rights defenders and other vulnerable sectors of the civilian population," the organization said in a press release.

"The U.S. administration should ensure that all its policies towards Colombia contribute to confronting the human rights crisis, rather than running the risk of fuelling it."

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