Each year, the United States Secretary of State must certify that Colombia is meeting the human rights conditions required for the disbursement of U.S. military aid.

Since Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last issued the certification in September 2009, Colombian security forces continue to commit human rights violations, in some cases with illegal paramilitary collaboration, a clear breach in the conditions of U.S. military aid to Colombia.  Another breach is the failure to investigate and prosecute members of the armed forces responsible for extrajudicial executions, or “false positives.”  These examples demonstrate that Colombia has not met the requirements or has taken a significant step backwards.

Soon Secretary Clinton will decide whether to certify Colombia’s human rights record for 2010.  CPT Colombia urges United States supporters to contact Secretary of State Clinton in the coming days to withhold certification until Colombia demonstrates marked and sustained results in advancing human rights cases and combating rampant impunity

Please click on the following link from our partner organization, Witness for Peace, to read about this campaign and to access the directions for contacting Secretary Clinton: 
http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5436/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=3943


By withholding certification of Colombia’s human rights record, the United States would help support the rule of law in Colombia and send a firm message that the U.S. government expects the new Colombian administration to distinguish itself from its predecessor by upholding human rights.