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(#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àÔ2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0À(#À(#à(ǵ{$»»à0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#àÔ2#ÔÚ  ÚaÚ  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0p(#(#àl(F$ïïà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#àà0p(#(#àÔ2#ÔÙ ÙÚ  ÚÚ  ÚÙ Ù)Ô3  Ôà0Èp(#p(#àÙ Ù"/012467xP3MQUY]aeiâBullets ListTABLE ATable_A dÝ ƒö\!ÝÔCEUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ôò òÓ  ÓÔ‡¼¸ð»XXÔCOLOMBIAÔ#†XdùX»¼¸ðL#ÔÐ ° ÐÓ@ÓÌFollow-up€-€State€ReportingÐ Ê Ѐ€€€€€€€€€€€i)€€Action€by€Treaty€BodiesÐ Ä ÐÌCAT,€A/60/44€(2005)ó óÐ ¸  ÐÌÓ  Ó...Ð ¬ ü ÐCHAPTER€IV.€€€FOLLOW„UP€ON€RECOMMENDATIONS€AND€OBSERVATIONS€ON€STATESÐ ¦ ö ÐPARTIES€REPORTSÐ   ð  ÐÌ115.€€€At€its€thirtieth€session,€in€May€2003,€the€Committee€began€a€routine€practice€of€identifying,€at€the€endÐ ”ä  Ðof€each€set€of€concluding€observations,€a€limited€number€of€recommendations€that€are€of€a€serious€natureÐ ŽÞ  Ðand€warrant€a€request€for€additional€information€following€the€dialogue€with€the€State€party€concerning€itsÐ ˆØ  Ðperiodic€report.€€The€Committee€identifies€conclusions€and€recommendations€regarding€the€reports€of€StatesÐ ‚Ò  Ðparties€which€are€serious,€can€be€accomplished€in€a€one„year€period,€and€are€protective.€€The€CommitteeÐ |Ì Ðhas€requested€those€States€parties€reviewed€since€the€thirtieth€session€of€the€Committee€to€provide€theÐ vÆ Ðinformation€sought€within€one€year.€€Ð pÀ Ð...Ð jº Ð118.€€€The€Rapporteur€has€welcomed€the€follow„up€information€provided€by€six€States€parties€as€of€20Ð d´ ÐMay€2005,€when€its€thirty„fourth€session€concluded,€indicating€the€commitment€of€the€States€parties€to€anÐ ^® Ðongoing€process€of€dialogue€and€cooperation€aimed€at€enhancing€compliance€with€the€requirements€of€theÐ X¨ ÐConvention.€€The€documentation€received€will€be€given€a€document€number€and€made€public.€€TheÐ R¢ ÐRapporteur€has€assessed€the€responses€received€particularly€as€to€whether€all€of€the€items€designated€byÐ Lœ Ðthe€Committee€for€follow„up€(normally€between€three€and€five€issues)€have€been€addressed,€whether€theÐ F– Ðinformation€provided€is€responsive,€and€whether€further€information€is€required.€Ð @ ÐÌ119.€€€With€regard€to€the€States€parties€that€have€not€supplied€the€information€requested,€the€RapporteurÐ 4„ Ðwill€write€to€solicit€the€outstanding€information.€€The€chart€below€details,€as€of€20May€2005,€the€conclusionÐ . ~ Ðof€the€Committeeððs€thirty„fourth€session,€the€status€of€follow„up€replies€to€concluding€observations€sinceÐ (!x Ðthe€practice€was€initiated.€€As€of€that€date,€the€replies€from€seven€States€parties€remained€outstanding.Ð ""r ÐÌ120.€€€As€the€Committeeððs€mechanism€for€monitoring€follow„up€to€concluding€observations€was€establishedÐ $f  Ðin€May€2003,€this€chart€describes€the€results€of€this€procedure€from€its€initiation€until€the€close€of€the€thirty„Ð %` ! Ðfourth€session€in€May€2005.€Ð  &Z!" ÐÌÔ*’ƒ%&°ddd Xdd Xdd X°(#°(#’ÔÔ,žUUÔÔ,'UUÔÔ,½UUÔÔ,A UUÔÔ+  ÔÐ 1'þ'N#$þ'N# €€‚‚ƒÈƒ„„1ÐòòState€partyóóÐ  þ'N#% „„ÐòòDate€dueóóÐ  þ'N#& „„ÐòòDate€replyÐ þ'N#' ÐreceivedóóÐ 'ø(H$(" „„'ÐòòFurther€actionÐ þ'N#) Ѐtaken/requiredóóÐ 6,ø(H$*" È  €€‚‚ƒÈƒ6Ð...Ð  º* &+ „„ÐÐ 'º* &, „„'ÐÐ 'º* &- „„'ÐÐ 6,º* &. È  €€‚‚ƒÈƒ„„6ÐColombiaÐ  |,Ì'/ „„ÐNovember€2004Ð '|,Ì'0 „„'ÐÐ '|,Ì'1 „„'ÐReminder€to€State€Ô_ÔpartyÐ$|,Ì'2 È   $Ð...Ð  ° ÐÌÔUSCE.,Ôò òCAT,€A/61/44€(2006)ó óÐ ªú ÐÌ...Ð žî ÐÌÔL  ÔÔM  ÔCHAPTER€ÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔIV.€€FOLLOW-UP€ON€CONCLUSIONS€AND€RECOMMENDATIONS€ON€STATESÐ ’ â ÐPARTIES€REPORTSÐ Œ Ü ÐÌÔL  ÔÔM  Ô38.€€In€Chapter€IV€of€its€annual€report€for€2004-2005€(A/60/44),€the€Committee€described€the€frameworkÐ € Ð Ðthat€it€had€developed€to€provide€for€follow-up€subsequent€to€the€adoption€of€the€concluding€observationsÐ z Ê  Ðon€States€parties€reports€submitted€under€article€19€of€the€Convention.€€It€also€presented€information€onÐ tÄ  Ðthe€Committeeððs€experience€in€receiving€information€from€States€parties€from€the€initiation€of€the€procedureÐ n¾  Ðin€May€2003€through€May€2005.€€This€chapter€updates€the€Committeeððs€experience€to€19€May€2006,€theÐ h¸  Ðend€of€its€thirty-sixth€session.Ð b²  ÐÌ39.€€In€accordance€with€rule€68,€paragraph€2,€of€the€rules€of€procedure,€the€Committee€established€the€postÐ V¦ Ðof€Rapporteur€for€follow-up€to€concluding€observations€under€article€19€of€the€Convention€and€appointedÐ P  ÐMs.€Felice€Ô_ÔGaerÔ_Ô€to€that€position.€€As€in€the€past,€Ms.€Ô_ÔGaerÔ_Ô€presented€a€progress€report€to€the€CommitteeÐ Jš Ðin€May€2006€on€the€results€of€the€procedure.Ð D” ÐÌ40.€€The€Rapporteur€has€emphasized€that€the€follow-up€procedure€aims€ð ðto€make€more€effective€theÐ 8ˆ Ðstruggle€against€torture€and€other€cruel,€inhuman€and€degrading€treatment€or€punishment,ðð€as€articulated€inÐ 2‚ Ðthe€preamble€to€the€Convention.€€At€the€conclusion€of€the€Committeeððs€review€of€each€State€party€report,Ð ,| Ðthe€Committee€identifies€concerns€and€recommends€specific€actions€designed€to€enhance€each€State€partyððsÐ &v Ðability€to€implement€the€measures€necessary€and€appropriate€to€prevent€acts€of€torture€and€cruel€treatment,Ð  p Ðand€thereby€assists€States€parties€in€bringing€their€law€and€practice€into€full€compliance€with€the€obligationsÐ j Ðset€forth€in€the€Convention.Ð d ÐÌ41.€€Since€its€thirtieth€session€in€May€2003,€the€Committee€began€the€practice€of€identifying€a€limitedÐ  X Ðnumber€of€these€recommendations€that€warrant€a€request€for€additional€information€following€the€reviewÐ !R Ðand€discussion€with€the€State€party€concerning€its€periodic€report.€€Such€ð ðfollow-upðð€recommendations€areÐ ü!L Ðidentified€because€they€are€serious,€proÔ_ÔtectiveÔ_Ô,€and€are€considered€able€to€be€accomplished€within€one€year.€Ð ö"F ÐThe€States€parties€are€asked€to€provide€within€one€year€information€on€the€measures€taken€to€give€effectÐ ð#@  Ðto€its€ð ðfollow-up€recommendationsðð€which€are€specifically€noted€in€a€paragraph€near€the€end€of€theÐ ê$: ! Ðconclusions€and€recommendations€on€the€review€of€the€States€partiesðð€report€under€article€19.Ð ä%4!" ÐÌ42.€€Since€the€procedure€was€established€at€the€thirtieth€session€in€May€2003€through€the€end€of€theÐ Ø'(#$ Ðthirty-sixth€session€in€May€2006,€the€Committee€has€reviewed€39€States€for€which€it€has€identifiedÐ Ò("$% Ðfollow-up€recommendations.€€Of€the€19€States€parties€that€were€due€to€have€submitted€their€follow-upÐ Ì)%& Ðreports€to€the€Committee€by€1€May€2006,€12€had€completed€this€requirement€(Argentina,€Azerbaijan,Ð Æ*&' ÐCzech€Republic,€Colombia,€Germany,€Greece,€Latvia,€Lithuania,€Morocco,€New€Zealand,€UnitedÐ À+'( ÐKingdom,€and€Yemen).€€As€of€May,€seven€States€had€failed€to€supply€follow-up€information€that€had€fallenÐ º, () Ðdue€(Bulgaria,€Cambodia,€Cameroon,€Chile,€Croatia,€Moldova,€Monaco),€and€each€was€sent€a€reminderÐ ´-)* Ðof€the€items€still€outstanding€and€requesting€them€to€submit€information€to€the€Committee.€Ð ° ÐÌ43.€€With€this€procedure,€the€Committee€seeks€to€advance€the€Conventionððs€requirement€that€ð ðeach€StateÐ ¤ô Ðparty€shall€take€effective€legislative,€administrative,€judicial€or€other€measures€to€prevent€acts€of€torture€ð8ðððÐ žî Ð(art.€2,€para.€1)€and€the€undertaking€ð ðto€prevent€ð8ð€other€acts€of€cruel,€inhuman€and€degrading€treatmentÐ ˜è Ðor€punishment€ð8ððð€(art.€16).Ð ’ â ÐÌ44.€€The€Rapporteur€has€expressed€appreciation€for€the€information€provided€by€States€parties€regardingÐ † Ö Ðthose€measures€taken€to€implement€their€obligations€under€the€Convention.€€In€addition,€she€has€assessedÐ € Ð Ðthe€responses€received€as€to€whether€all€of€the€items€designated€by€the€Committee€for€follow-up€(normallyÐ z Ê  Ðbetween€three€to€six€recommendations)€have€been€addressed,€whether€the€information€provided€respondsÐ tÄ  Ðto€the€Committeeððs€concern,€and€whether€further€information€is€required.€€Where€further€information€isÐ n¾  Ðneeded,€she€writes€to€the€State€party€concerned€with€specific€requests€for€further€clarification.€€With€regardÐ h¸  Ðto€States€that€have€not€supplied€the€follow-up€information€at€all,€she€writes€to€solicit€the€outstandingÐ b²  Ðinformation.€Ð \¬  ÐÌ45.€€Each€letter€responds€specifically€and€in€detail€to€the€information€presented€by€the€State€party,€whichÐ P  Ðis€given€a€formal€United€Nations€document€symbol€number.Ð Jš ÐÌ46.€€Since€the€recommendations€to€each€State€party€are€crafted€to€reflect€the€specific€situation€in€thatÐ >Ž Ðcountry,€the€follow-up€responses€from€the€States€parties€and€letters€from€the€Rapporteur€requesting€furtherÐ 8ˆ Ðclarification€address€a€wide€array€of€topics.€€Among€those€addressed€in€the€letters€sent€to€States€partiesÐ 2‚ Ðrequesting€further€information€have€been€a€number€of€precise€matters€seen€as€essential€to€the€implementationÐ ,| Ðof€the€recommendation€in€question.€€A€number€of€issues€have€been€highlighted€to€reflect€not€only€theÐ &v Ðinformation€provided,€but€also€the€issues€not€addressed€but€which€are€deemed€essential€in€the€CommitteeððsÐ  p Ðongoing€work€in€order€to€be€effective€in€taking€preventive€and€protective€measures€to€eliminate€torture€andÐ j Ðill-treatment.Ð d Ð...Ð ^ ÐÔL  ÔÔM  Ô48.€€The€chart€below€details,€as€of€19€May€2006,€the€end€of€the€Committeeððs€thirty-sixth€session,€the€stateÐ  X Ðof€the€replies€with€respect€to€follow-up.Ð !R ÐÌò òÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÔL  ÔÔM  ÔÓ  ÓA.€€Follow-up€reply€due€before€1€May€2006ó óÐ ö"F ÐÓ²*ÓÌÔ*¥ƒ8;Ïd°džUUž'UU'½UU½A UUA %&°(#°(#¥ÔÔ,°dd ÔÔ,'dd ÔÔ,‘dd ÔÔ, dd ÔÔ,Sdd ÔÔ+  ÔÐ ê$: !ê$:  ÐState€partyÐ  N%ž " ÐDate€dueÐ  N%ž # ÐDate€replyÐ N%ž $ ÐreceivedÐ  H&˜!% ÐDocument€symbol€numberÐ  N%ž & ÐFurther€actionÐ N%ž ' Ðtaken/requiredÐ  H&˜!( Ð...Ð  Ö'&#) ÐÐ  Ö'&#* ÐÐ  Ö'&#+ ÐÐ  Ö'&#, ÐÐ  Ö'&#- ÐColombiaÐ  d)´$. ÐNovember€2004Ð A7 d)´$/ àñâ@38799„„‰àñâ@‰AÐÓ  Ó24€March€2006Ð @64d)´$0 àñâ@38799 àñâ@ @ÐCAT/C/COL/CO/3/Add.1Ð  d)´$1 ÐÐ  d)´$2 Ð...Ð  ò*B&3 ÐÐ  ò*B&4 „„ÐÐ ò*B&5" ÐÐ  ò*B&6 ÐÐ ò*B&7  ÐÔCE.,US.,žÔÌÐ -f(8 ÐÔUSCE.,Ôò òCAT,€A/62/44€(2007)ó óÐ ° ÐÌ...Ð ¤ô ÐIV.à  àFOLLOW€UP€ON€CONCLUSIONS€AND€RECOMMENDATIONS€ON€STATES€PARTIESÐ žî ÐREPORTSÐ ˜è ÐÌ46.à  àIn€Chapter€IV€of€its€annual€report€for€2005€2006€(A/61/44),€the€Committee€described€theÐ Œ Ü Ðframework€that€it€had€developed€to€provide€for€follow€up€subsequent€to€the€adoption€of€the€conclusionsÐ † Ö Ðand€recommendations€on€States€parties€reports€submitted€under€article€19€of€the€Convention.€It€alsoÐ € Ð Ðpresented€information€on€the€Committeeððs€experience€in€receiving€information€from€States€parties€from€theÐ z Ê  Ðinitiation€of€the€procedure€in€May€2003€through€May€2006.€This€chapter€updates€the€CommitteeððsÐ tÄ  Ðexperience€to€18€May€2007,€the€end€of€its€thirty€eighth€session.Ð n¾  ÐÌ47.à  àIn€accordance€with€rule€68,€paragraph€2,€of€the€rules€of€procedure,€the€Committee€established€theÐ b²  Ðpost€of€Rapporteur€for€follow€up€to€conclusions€and€recommendations€under€article€19€of€the€ConventionÐ \¬  Ðand€appointed€Ms.€Felice€Ô_ÔGaerÔ_Ô€to€that€position.€As€in€the€past,€Ms.€Ô_ÔGaerÔ_Ô€presented€a€progress€report€toÐ V¦ Ðthe€Committee€in€May€2007€on€the€results€of€the€procedure.Ð P  ÐÌ48.à  àThe€Rapporteur€has€emphasized€that€the€follow€up€procedure€aims€ð ðto€make€more€effective€theÐ D” Ðstruggle€against€torture€and€other€cruel,€inhuman€and€degrading€treatment€or€punishmentðð,€as€articulated€inÐ >Ž Ðthe€preamble€to€the€Convention.€At€the€conclusion€of€the€Committeeððs€review€of€each€State€party€report,Ð 8ˆ Ðthe€Committee€identifies€concerns€and€recommends€specific€actions€designed€to€enhance€each€State€partyððsÐ 2‚ Ðability€to€implement€the€measures€necessary€and€appropriate€to€prevent€acts€of€torture€and€cruel€treatment,Ð ,| Ðand€thereby€assists€States€parties€in€bringing€their€law€and€practice€into€full€compliance€with€the€obligationsÐ &v Ðset€forth€in€the€Convention.Ð  p ÐÌ49.à  àSince€its€thirtieth€session€in€May€2003,€the€Committee€began€the€practice€of€identifying€a€limitedÐ d Ðnumber€of€these€recommendations€that€warrant€a€request€for€additional€information€following€the€reviewÐ ^ Ðand€discussion€with€the€State€party€concerning€its€periodic€report.€Such€ð ðfollow€upðð€recommendations€areÐ  X Ðidentified€because€they€are€serious,€protective,€and€are€considered€able€to€be€accomplished€within€one€year.Ð !R ÐThe€States€parties€are€asked€to€provide€within€one€year€information€on€the€measures€taken€to€give€effectÐ ü!L Ðto€its€ð ðfollow€up€recommendationsðð€which€are€specifically€noted€in€a€paragraph€near€the€end€of€theÐ ö"F Ðconclusions€and€recommendations€on€the€review€of€the€States€partiesðð€reports€under€article€19.Ð ð#@  ÐÌ50.à  àSince€the€procedure€was€established€at€the€thirtieth€session€in€May€2003,€through€the€end€of€theÐ ä%4!" Ðthirty€eighth€session€in€May€2007€the€Committee€has€reviewed€53€States€for€which€it€has€identified€followÐ Þ&."# Ðup€recommendations.€Of€the€39€States€parties€that€were€due€to€have€submitted€their€follow€up€reports€toÐ Ø'(#$ Ðthe€Committee€by€18€May€2007,€25€had€completed€this€requirement€(Albania,€Argentina,€Austria,Ð Ò("$% ÐAzerbaijan,€Bahrain,€Canada,€Chile,€Czech€Republic,€Colombia,€Croatia,€Ecuador,€Finland,€France,Ð Ì)%& ÐGermany,€Greece,€Latvia,€Lithuania,€Monaco,€Morocco,€New€Zealand,€Qatar,€Sri€Lanka,€Switzerland,Ð Æ*&' ÐUnited€Kingdom€and€Yemen).€As€of€18€May,€14€States€had€not€yet€supplied€follow€up€information€that€hadÐ À+'( Ðfallen€due€(Bulgaria,€Bosnia€and€Herzegovina,€Cambodia,€Cameroon,€Democratic€Republic€of€the€Congo,Ð º, () ÐGeorgia,€Guatemala,€Republic€of€Korea,€Moldova,€Nepal,€Peru,€Togo,€Uganda€and€United€States€ofÐ ´-)* ÐAmerica).€In€March€2007,€the€Rapporteur€sent€a€reminder€requesting€the€outstanding€information€to€eachÐ ° Ðof€the€States€whose€follow€up€information€was€due€in€November€2006,€but€had€not€yet€been€submitted,Ð ªú Ðand€who€had€not€previously€been€sent€a€reminder.Ð ¤ô ÐÌ51.à  àThe€Rapporteur€noted€that€14€follow€up€reports€had€fallen€due€since€the€previous€annual€reportÐ ˜è Ð(A/61/44).€However,€only€4€(Austria,€Ecuador,€Qatar€and€Sri€Lanka)€of€these€14€States€had€submitted€theÐ ’ â Ðfollow€up€information€in€a€timely€manner.€Despite€this,€she€expressed€the€view€that€the€follow€up€procedureÐ Œ Ü Ðhad€been€remarkably€successful€in€eliciting€valuable€additional€information€from€States€on€protectiveÐ † Ö Ðmeasures€taken€during€the€immediate€follow€up€to€the€review€of€the€periodic€reports.€While€comparativelyÐ € Ð Ðfew€States€had€replied€precisely€on€time,€19€of€the€25€respondents€had€submitted€the€information€on€timeÐ z Ê  Ðor€within€a€matter€of€one€to€four€months€following€the€due€date.€Reminders€seemed€to€help€elicit€many€ofÐ tÄ  Ðthese€responses.€The€Rapporteur€also€expressed€appreciation€to€non€governmental€organizations,€manyÐ n¾  Ðof€whom€had€also€encouraged€States€parties€to€submit€follow€up€information€in€a€timely€way.Ð h¸  ÐÌ52.à  àThrough€this€procedure,€the€Committee€seeks€to€advance€the€Conventionððs€requirement€that€ð ðeachÐ \¬  ÐState€party€shall€take€effective€legislative,€administrative,€judicial€or€other€measures€to€prevent€acts€ofÐ V¦ Ðtorture€ð8ððð€(art.€2,€para.€1)€and€the€undertaking€ð ðto€prevent€ð8ð€other€acts€of€cruel,€inhuman€and€degradingÐ P  Ðtreatment€or€punishment€ð8ððð€(art.€16).Ð Jš ÐÌ53.à  àThe€Rapporteur€has€expressed€appreciation€for€the€information€provided€by€States€partiesÐ >Ž Ðregarding€those€measures€taken€to€implement€their€obligations€under€the€Convention.€In€addition,€she€hasÐ 8ˆ Ðassessed€the€responses€received€as€to€whether€all€the€items€designated€by€the€Committee€for€follow€upÐ 2‚ Ð(normally€between€three€and€six€recommendations)€have€been€addressed,€whether€the€information€providedÐ ,| Ðresponds€to€the€Committeeððs€concern,€and€whether€further€information€is€required.€Each€letter€respondsÐ &v Ðspecifically€and€in€detail€to€the€information€presented€by€the€State€party.€Where€further€information€isÐ  p Ðneeded,€she€writes€to€the€State€party€concerned€with€specific€requests€for€further€clarification.€With€regardÐ j Ðto€States€that€have€not€supplied€the€follow€up€information€at€all,€she€writes€to€solicit€the€outstandingÐ d Ðinformation.Ð ^ ÐÌ54.à  àAt€its€thirty€eighth€session€in€May,€the€Committee€decided€to€make€public€the€Rapporteurððs€lettersÐ !R Ðto€the€States€parties.€These€would€be€assigned€a€United€Nations€document€symbol€number€and€placed€onÐ ü!L Ðthe€web€page€of€the€Committee.€The€Committee€further€decided€to€assign€a€United€Nations€documentÐ ö"F Ðsymbol€number€to€all€States€partiesðð€replies€(these€symbol€numbers€are€under€consideration)€to€the€followÐ ð#@  Ðup€and€also€place€them€on€its€website.Ð ê$: ! ÐÌ55.à  àSince€the€recommendations€to€each€State€party€are€crafted€to€reflect€the€specific€situation€in€thatÐ Þ&."# Ðcountry,€the€follow€up€responses€from€the€States€parties€and€letters€from€the€Rapporteur€requesting€furtherÐ Ø'(#$ Ðclarification€address€a€wide€array€of€topics.€Among€those€addressed€in€the€letters€sent€to€States€partiesÐ Ò("$% Ðrequesting€further€information€have€been€a€number€of€precise€matters€seen€as€essential€to€the€implementationÐ Ì)%& Ðof€the€recommendation€in€question.€A€number€of€issues€have€been€highlighted€to€reflect€not€only€theÐ Æ*&' Ðinformation€provided,€but€also€the€issues€that€have€not€been€addressed€but€which€are€deemed€essential€toÐ À+'( Ðthe€Committeeððs€ongoing€work,€in€order€to€be€effective€in€taking€preventive€and€protective€measures€toÐ º, () Ðeliminate€torture€and€ill€treatment.Ð ´-)* Ð...Ð ° Ð57.à  àThe€chart€below€details,€as€of€18€May€2007,€the€end€of€the€Committeeððs€thirty€eighth€session,€theÐ ªú Ðstate€of€the€replies€with€respect€to€follow€up.Ð ¤ô ЀÌò òFollow€up€procedure€to€conclusions€and€recommendations€from€May€2003€to€May€2007Ð ˜è ÐÌ...ó óÐ Œ Ü Ðò òThirty€first€session€(November€2003)ó óÐ † Ö ÐÌÔ*¸ƒ=>ûdÏd°dd °'dd '‘dd ‘ dd  Sdd S8;°(#°(#¸ÔÔ,Ü\RÔÔ,\RÔÔ,: \RÔÔ,' \\ÔÔ+  ÔÐ 4*z Ê z Ê €€‚ ‚ƒ ƒ„„‹‹4Ðò òState€partyó óÐ 9/!„ Ô " „„‹‹9Ðò òInformationÐ „ Ô  Ðdue€inÐ 9/!~Î " „„‹‹9ÐInformation€receivedÐ 9/!„ Ô " „„‹‹9ÐAction€takenó óÐ H>,„ Ô"   €€‚‚ƒƒ‹‹HÐ...Ð '‚Ò  ‹‹'ÐÐ '‚Ò  ‹‹'ÐÐ '‚Ò  ‹‹'ÐÐ ?5#‚Ò    €€‚‚ƒƒ‹‹?ÐColombiaÐ '|Ì  ‹‹'ÐNovember€2004Ð '|Ì  ‹‹'Ð13€June€2006Ð |Ì  ÐCAT/C/COL/CO/3/Add.1Ð 'vÆ  ‹‹'ÐRequest€for€further€clarification€Ð ?5#|Ì    €€‚‚ƒƒ‹‹?Ð...Ð 'pÀ  ‹‹'ÐÐ 'pÀ  ‹‹'ÐÐ 'pÀ  ‹‹'ÐÐ3)'pÀ     3ÐÐ  jº ÐÌò òCAT,€CAT/C/SR.776€(2007)ó óÐ ªú ÐÌCOMMITTEE€AGAINST€TORTUREÐ žî ÐThirty-eighth€sessionÐ ˜è ÐÌSUMMARY€RECORD€OF€THE€FIRST€PART€(PUBLIC)€OF€THE€776th€MEETINGÐ Œ Ü ÐHeld€at€the€Ô_ÔPalaisÔ_Ô€Wilson,€Geneva,Ð † Ö Ðon€Tuesday,€15€May€2007,€at€3€p.m.Ð € Ð ÐÌ...Ð tÄ  ÐORGANIZATIONAL€AND€OTHER€MATTERS€(agenda€item€3)Ð n¾  Ð...Ð h¸  ÐòòÓ  ÓÓ  ÓFollow„up€to€the€Committeeððs€conclusions€and€recommendations€on€country€reportsóó€(document€withoutÐ b²  Ða€symbol,€distributed€in€English€only)Ð \¬  ÐÌ16.€€€€€òòMs.€Ô_ÔGAERÔ_Ôóó,€Rapporteur€on€follow„up€to€conclusions€and€recommendations,€said€that€since€theÐ P  Ðestablishment€of€the€follow„up€procedure,€43€States€parties€had€been€reviewed,€of€which€37€had€beenÐ Jš Ðasked€for€additional€information€and€22€had€replied,€which€was€a€significant€proportion.€Those€which€hadÐ D” Ðnot€replied€had€received€a€reminder,€and€three€examples€of€reminder€letters€were€presented€in€theÐ >Ž Ðdocument€distributed€to€the€Committee...Ð 8ˆ Ð...Ð 2‚ Ð19.€€€€€...The€letter€addressed€to€Colombia€dealt€mainly€with€measures€for€protection€of€human€rightsÐ ,| Ðdefenders,€who€were€very€exposed€in€that€country...Ð &v ÐÓ5ZÓÓ  ÓÔCE.,US.,k/ÔÔUSCE.,Ô...Ð  p ÐÔCE.,US.,M^ÔÐ  j Ðà0  àò òii)€Action€by€State€Partyó óа(#(# ÐÌÔUSCE.,ÔÌò òCAT,€CAT/C/COL/CO/3/Add.1€(2006)ó óÐ žî ÐÌò òÓ  ÓComments€by€the€Government€of€Colombia€on€the€conclusions€and€recommendations€of€theÐ ’ â ÐCommittee€against€Torture€(CAT/C/CR/31/1)ó óÐ Œ Ü ÐÌ[24€March€2006]Ð € Ð ÐÌ1.€€I€have€the€honour€to€transmit€herewith€note€verbale€DDH/ONU€13077/0597€of€15€March€2006,€inÐ tÄ  Ðwhich€the€Government€of€Colombia€responds€to€the€request€contained€in€communication€jmn/mm/fg/follow„Ð n¾  Ðup/CAT€of€17€February€2006€regarding€implementation€of€the€conclusions€and€recommendations€of€theÐ h¸  ÐCommittee€against€Torture€on€the€third€periodic€report€of€Colombia.Ð b²  ÐÌ2.€€I€have€the€honour€to€reply€on€behalf€of€the€Colombian€Government€to€your€communicationÐ V¦ Ðjmn/mm/fg/follow„up/CAT,€dated€17€February€2006,€concerning€implementation€of€the€recommendationsÐ P  Ðmade€by€the€Committee€against€Torture€to€the€Colombian€State€on€the€occasion€of€its€review€of€the€thirdÐ Jš Ðperiodic€report€in€2003.Ð D” ÐÌ3.€€In€that€connection,€further€to€the€developments€and€progress€described€in€note€verbale€DDH.57149Ð 8ˆ Ðtransmitted€to€the€Committee€through€our€Mission€in€Geneva€by€communication€MPC.1688€of€15Ð 2‚ ÐNovember€2004,€I€wish€to€make€reference€on€this€occasion€to€the€following€points.Ð ,| ÐÌòòStandard„setting€developmentsóóÐ  p ÐÌ4.€€The€practice€of€torture€violates€a€large€number€of€fundamental€human€rights€that€are€protected€by€theÐ d ÐColombian€Constitution€and€are€also€enshrined€in€many€international€human€rights€instruments€ratified€byÐ ^ Ðthe€Colombian€State.€€Article€12€of€the€Colombian€Constitution€expressly€prohibits€torture,€stipulating€thatÐ  X Ðð ðNo€one€shall€be€subjected€to€enforced€disappearance,€to€torture€or€to€cruel,€inhuman€or€degradingÐ !R Ðtreatment€or€punishmentðð.€€This€provision€of€the€Constitution€follows€from€article€1€„€according€to€whichÐ ü!L ÐColombia€is€a€State€based€on€the€rule€of€law€and€on€respect€for€human€dignity€„€and€embodies€the€provisionÐ ö"F Ðof€article€5€of€the€Universal€Declaration€of€Human€Rights€and€the€American€Convention€on€Human€RightsÐ ð#@  Ðas€well€as€the€provisions€of€articles€2€and€4€of€the€Convention€against€Torture€and€Other€Cruel,€InhumanÐ ê$: ! Ðor€Degrading€Treatment€or€Punishment.Ð ä%4!" ÐÌ5.€€With€regard€to€the€legislative€development€of€article€12€of€the€Constitution,€mention€should€be€made€ofÐ Ø'(#$ Ðthe€adoption€and€entry€into€force€of€Act€No.€589€of€6€July€2000,€which€defines€the€crimes€of€genocide,Ð Ò("$% Ðenforced€disappearance€and€forced€displacement€and€imposes€heavier€penalties€for€the€crime€of€torture,Ð Ì)%& Ðin€keeping€with€the€main€international€standards€in€that€regard.€€Furthermore,€the€Act€stipulates€that€suchÐ Æ*&' Ðcrimes€shall€not€be€eligible€for€amnesty€or€clemency€and€that€cases€concerning€them€shall€be€heard€by€theÐ À+'( Ðspecialized€circuit€criminal€courts.Ð º, () ÐÐ ´-)* Ð6.€€Under€the€Colombian€Criminal€Code,€as€amended€by€Act€No.€599€of€2000,€the€crime€of€torture€isÐ ° Ðdefined€as€follows:Ð ªú Ðà0  àòòArticle€178.€€Torture.€€Anyone€who€inflicts€physical€or€mental€pain€or€suffering€on€a€personÐ ¤ô Ðwith€a€view€to€obtaining€from€him€or€her€or€from€a€third€person€information€or€a€confession,Ð žî Ðpunishing€him€or€her€for€an€act€that€he€or€she€has€committed€or€is€suspected€of€havingÐ ˜è Ðcommitted,€or€intimidating€or€coercing€him€or€her€for€any€reason€based€on€discriminationÐ ’ â Ðof€any€kind€shall€be€punishable€with€between€8€and€15€yearsðð€imprisonment,€a€fine€ofÐ Œ Ü Ðbetween€800€and€2,000€times€the€statutory€minimum€wage,€and€disqualification€from€theÐ † Ö Ðexercise€of€rights€and€public€office€for€the€same€period€as€the€term€of€imprisonment.Ѐ Ð(#(# ÐÌà0  àAny€person€who€causes€severe€physical€suffering€for€purposes€other€than€those€describedÐ tÄ  Ðabove€shall€be€liable€to€the€same€penalty.Ðn¾ (#(# ÐÌà0  àPain€or€suffering€arising€only€from,€inherent€in€or€incidental€to€lawful€sanctions€shall€not€beÐ b²  Ðdeemed€to€constitute€torture.óóÐ\¬ (#(# ÐÌ7.€€Article€179€of€the€Criminal€Code€further€specifies€the€circumstances€in€which€this€crime€entails€a€heavierÐ P  Ðpenalty:Ð Jš ÐÌà0  àòòArticle€179.€€Aggravating€circumstances.€€The€penalties€foreseen€in€the€preceding€articleÐ >Ž Ðshall€be€increased€by€up€to€one€third€in€the€following€circumstances:Ð8ˆ(#(# ÐÌà0  à(a)€€Where€the€perpetrator€is€a€member€of€the€victimððs€family€group;Ð,|(#(# ÐÌà0  à(b)€€Where€the€perpetrator€is€a€public€official€or€an€individual€acting€at€the€instigation€orÐ  p Ðwith€the€acquiescence€of€that€person;Ðj(#(# ÐÌà0  à(c)€€Where€the€victim€is€a€person€with€a€disability,€a€person€of€less€than€18€or€more€than€60Ð ^ Ðyears€of€age€or€a€pregnant€woman;Ð X(#(# ÐóóÌà0  àòò(d)€€Where€the€act€is€perpetrated€against€the€following€persons€on€account€of€their€status:€Ð ü!L Ðpublic€officials,€journalists,€social€communicators,€human€rights€defenders,€candidates€forÐ ö"F Ðor€aspirants€to€electoral€office,€civic,€community,€ethnic,€trade€union,€political€or€religiousÐ ð#@  Ðleaders,€persons€who€have€witnessed€or€been€the€victims€of€punishable€acts€or€disciplinaryÐ ê$: ! Ðoffences,€or€the€spouse€or€stable€partner€of€the€above-mentioned€persons,€or€their€relativesÐ ä%4!" Ðup€to€the€third€degree€of€consanguinity,€the€second€degree€of€affinity€or€the€first€degree€ofÐ Þ&."# Ðcivil€relationship;ÐØ'(#$(#(# ÐÌà0  à(e)€€Where€State€property€is€used€in€perpetrating€the€act;ÐÌ)%&(#(# ÐÌà0  à(f)€€Where€the€act€is€perpetrated€to€prepare,€facilitate,€conceal€or€ensure€the€outcome€orÐ À+'( Ðimpunity€of€another€offence;€or€to€prevent€the€person€from€taking€part€in€judicial€orÐ º, () Ðdisciplinary€proceedings.д-)*(#(# ÐóóÌ8.€€The€Criminal€Code€further€provides€for€additional€or€heavier€penalties€in€cases€of€collusion€to€commitÐ ªú Ðan€offence,€instigation€to€commit€an€offence,€and€malfeasance€through€action,€failure€to€report€andÐ ¤ô Ðencouragement,€where€such€conduct€is€for€the€purpose€of€committing€torture.Ð žî ÐÌ9.€€With€regard€to€the€penalties€stipulated€for€the€criminal€offences€contained€in€the€Special€Part€of€theÐ ’ â ÐCriminal€Code,€including€torture,€Act€No.€890€of€2004€in€force€since€10€January€2005€provides€in€its€articleÐ Œ Ü Ð14€for€an€increase€of€at€least€one€third€and€at€most€one€half€in€the€severity€of€penalties.Ð † Ö ÐÌ10.€€Moreover,€the€Criminal€Code€contains€the€following€provision€regarding€torture€of€a€protected€personÐ z Ê  Ðin€its€chapter€on€offences€against€international€humanitarian€law:Ð tÄ  Ðà0  àòòArticle€137.€€Torture€of€a€protected€person.€€Anyone€who,€in€the€context€and€conduct€of€anÐ n¾  Ðarmed€conflict,€inflicts€severe€physical€or€mental€pain€or€suffering€on€a€person€with€a€viewÐ h¸  Ðto€obtaining€from€him€or€her€or€from€a€third€person€information€or€a€confession,€punishingÐ b²  Ðhim€or€her€for€an€act€that€he€or€she€has€committed€or€is€suspected€of€having€committed,€orÐ \¬  Ðintimidating€or€coercing€him€or€her€for€any€reason€based€on€discrimination€of€any€kind€shallÐ V¦ Ðbe€punishable€with€between€10€and€20€yearsðð€imprisonment,€a€fine€of€between€500€and€1,000Ð P  Ðtimes€the€statutory€minimum€monthly€wage,€and€disqualification€from€the€exercise€of€rightsÐ Jš Ðand€public€office€for€between€10€and€20€years.óóÐD”(#(# ÐÌ11.€€With€regard€to€the€Military€Criminal€Code,€it€should€be€noted€that€reform€Act€No.€522€of€1999€(art.Ð 8ˆ Ð3)€expressly€excluded€the€offence€of€torture€from€the€jurisdiction€of€military€courts.Ð 2‚ ÐÌòòThe€Peasant€Soldiers€ProgrammeóóÐ &v ÐÌ12.€€The€Peasant€Soldiers€Programme,€the€purpose€of€which€is€to€enable€young€people€of€between€18€andÐ j Ð24€years€of€age€to€perform€their€18„month€period€of€compulsory€military€service€in€their€municipalities€ofÐ d Ðorigin€or€residence,€forms€part€of€the€plan€being€implemented€by€the€National€Government€to€counter€theÐ ^ Ðwave€of€violence€unleashed€by€the€illegal€armed€groups.€€Its€principal€aim€is€to€restore€the€presence€of€theÐ  X Ðarmed€forces€and€police€(Fuerza€Pblica)€„€totalling€some€17,000€men€„€in€all€main€towns€of€the€countryððsÐ !R Ðadministrative€districts.€€As€part€of€the€Fuerza€Pblica,€they€are€fully€integrated€into€the€institutionalÐ ü!L Ðframework€and€have€all€relevant€obligations€and€rights.Ð ö"F ÐÌ13.€€The€mandate€of€the€peasant€soldiers€consists€in€providing€security€for€urban€centres€in€the€localities€inÐ ê$: ! Ðwhich€they€live€in€order€to€defend€civilians€by€means€of€a€response€and€counter-attack€plan€aimed€atÐ ä%4!" Ðwarding€off€attacks€on€the€population.€€Priority€is€given€by€the€soldiers€to€enhancement€of€solidarity€andÐ Þ&."# Ðcooperation€with€their€communities.Ð Ø'(#$ ÐÌ14.€€The€soldiers€undergo€training€in€the€regionððs€Army€battalions€and€in€the€Navyððs€marine€infantry€trainingÐ Ì)%& Ðbases€for€a€period€of€10€weeks,€during€which€they€are€trained€to€protect€their€districts,€special€emphasisÐ Æ*&' Ðbeing€placed€on€their€dealings€with€the€community€and€on€respect€for€human€rights€and€internationalÐ À+'( Ðhumanitarian€law.€€The€recruitment€process,€for€which€the€Commander€of€the€regionððs€Operational€Unit€isÐ º, () Ðresponsible,€is€subject€to€the€approval€of€the€community€and€local€authorities€and€involves€strict€securityÐ ´-)* Ðmeasures€aimed€at€precluding€the€infiltration€of€members€of€illegal€armed€groups.Ð ° ÐÌ15.€€The€first€stage€of€mobilization€of€peasant€soldiers€forming€part€of€the€Army€and€Navy€began€with€theÐ ¤ô Ðincorporation€of€a€contingent€in€November€2002€and€ended€in€March€2003€when€288€marines€and€5,112Ð žî Ðland€soldiers€took€up€their€operational€duties.€€The€men€started€work€in€133€municipalities€without€a€FuerzaÐ ˜è ÐPblica€presence€and€reinforced€security€in€a€further€9€municipalities.€€Stage€4€of€the€Programme€is€nowÐ ’ â Ðbeing€implemented,€with€the€formation€to€date€of€598€teams€equivalent€to€21,528€soldiers.Ð Œ Ü ÐÌòòStrengthening€of€the€administration€of€justiceóóÐ € Ð ÐÌ16.€€In€2003€the€Committee€expressed€concern€about€some€legislative€measures€that€were€being€enactedÐ tÄ  Ðby€the€Congress€of€the€Republic,€the€nature€of€which€should€be€clarified.€€First,€the€bill€on€the€counter„Ð n¾  Ðterrorism€statute,€which€sought€to€confer€judicial€police€powers€on€the€armed€forces€and€to€enable€personsÐ h¸  Ðto€be€detained€and€questioned€for€a€period€of€36€hours€before€being€brought€before€a€judge,€was€declaredÐ b²  Ðunenforceable€on€account€of€procedural€defects€on€the€basis€of€the€automatic€review€carried€out€by€theÐ \¬  ÐConstitutional€Court.€€No€bill€on€the€matter€is€currently€before€the€legislature.Ð V¦ ÐÌ17.€€Although€the€judicial€reform€bill€was€tabled€by€the€Ministry€of€Internal€Affairs€and€Justice€in€theÐ Jš ÐNational€Congress€in€October€2002,€it€was€withdrawn€in€March€2003,€and€the€Government€has€tabled€noÐ D” Ðnew€bills€on€the€subject€in€the€meantime.€€However,€the€bill€introduced€by€the€Higher€Council€of€theÐ >Ž ÐJudiciary€with€a€view€to€amending€Act€No.€270€of€1996€adopting€the€Statute€on€the€Administration€ofÐ 8ˆ ÐJustice€is€currently€before€the€Congress.Ð 2‚ ÐÌ18.€€Legislative€Act€No.€003€of€2002€introduced€an€adversarial€system€of€criminal€justice€into€theÐ &v ÐColombian€Constitution.€€This€reform,€adopted€by€Act€No.€908€of€31€August€2004,€was€the€culminationÐ  p Ðof€work€undertaken€jointly€by€the€Public€Prosecutorððs€Office,€the€Ministry€of€Internal€Affairs€and€Justice,Ð j Ðthe€Attorney„General,€the€Ombudsman€(Defensor€del€Pueblo),€the€President€of€the€Higher€Council€of€theÐ d ÐJudiciary€and€the€President€of€the€Criminal€Division€of€the€Supreme€Court€of€Justice,€as€well€as€threeÐ ^ Ðmembers€of€the€Lower€House€and€three€Senators€of€the€Republic.€€Beyond€the€mere€amendment€ofÐ  X Ðlegislative€provisions,€this€project€involved€the€drafting€of€a€new€Code€of€Criminal€Procedure€andÐ !R Ðamendment€of€the€Criminal€Code,€the€Penitentiary€and€Prison€Code,€the€Statute€Organizing€the€PublicÐ ü!L ÐProsecutorððs€Office,€the€Regulations€governing€the€National€Public€Defenders€System€and€the€Act€adoptingÐ ö"F Ðthe€Statute€on€the€Administration€of€Justice.Ð ð#@  ÐÌ19.€€Gradual€implementation€of€the€new€criminal€procedural€regime€began€on€1€January€2005€in€the€judicialÐ ä%4!" Ðdistricts€of€Bogot,€Armenia,€Manizales€and€Pereira.€€In€2006€implementation€will€begin€in€cities€such€asÐ Þ&."# ÐCali,€Medelln,€Tunja€and€Bucaramanga,€and€the€process€will€be€completed€in€the€rest€of€the€country€byÐ Ø'(#$ Ð31€December€2008.Ð Ò("$% ÐÌ20.€€The€new€adversarial€system€of€criminal€justice€will€ensure€that€the€prosecutors€and€investigatorsÐ Æ*&' Ðengaged€in€proceedings€produce€results€in€less€than€seven€months,€during€which€period€the€preliminaryÐ À+'( Ðinquiry,€the€investigation€and€the€trial€will€be€conducted.€€In€2004€special€academic€programmes€wereÐ º, () Ðlaunched€for€prosecutors,€investigators,€expert€witnesses€and€court€assessors€who€will€take€up€new€dutiesÐ ´-)* Ðunder€the€new€system.€€The€Public€Prosecutorððs€Office€and€other€relevant€bodies€seek€to€enhance€theÐ ° Ðqualifications€of€the€members€of€the€countryððs€different€judicial€police€forces€through€training€and€refresherÐ ªú Ðcourses.€€By€December€2004,€479€prosecutors,€499€investigators€and€302€officials€had€been€trained€andÐ ¤ô Ðjoined€the€staff€of€the€Technical€Investigation€Unit€of€the€Public€Prosecutorððs€Office,€representing€a€totalÐ žî Ðof€1,280€officers€in€Bogot€during€the€first€quarter€of€2005.Ð ˜è ÐÌ21.€€Defence€counsel€under€the€new€adversarial€system€of€criminal€justice€will€be€chosen€freely€by€theÐ Œ Ü Ðaccused€or€alternatively€by€the€National€Public€Defenders€System.€€At€the€first€hearing,€the€accused€mustÐ † Ö Ðhave€the€services€of€defence€counsel,€exercising€all€the€rights€and€powers€prescribed€in€international€humanÐ € Ð Ðrights€treaties€and€those€expressly€mentioned€in€the€Constitution.€€For€instance,€defence€counsel€must€haveÐ z Ê  Ðreasonable€time€and€means€to€mount€a€defence,€including€the€possibility,€on€an€exceptional€basis,€to€haveÐ tÄ  Ðthe€oral€hearing€deferred€where€such€postponement€is€justified.Ð n¾  ÐÌ22.€€Moreover,€with€a€view€to€guaranteeing€full€and€equal€access€to€the€administration€of€justice€and€to€theÐ b²  Ðdecisions€adopted€by€any€public€authority,€the€National€Public€Defender€System,€organized,€run€andÐ \¬  Ðsupervised€by€the€Office€of€the€Ombudsman,€will€provide€technical€defence€assistance€to€persons€of€limitedÐ V¦ Ðfinancial€means€or€who€are€otherwise€impeded€from€hiring€a€lawyer€of€their€own.Ð P  ÐÌ23.€€Under€the€new€system,€the€role€of€the€Public€Prosecutorððs€Office€in€criminal€proceedings€will€beÐ D” Ðcarried€out€through€the€Delegated€Offices€of€the€Office€of€the€Attorney„General€in€the€form€of€a€specialÐ >Ž Ðagency,€once€the€need€for€intervention€has€been€established,€since€under€the€new€adversarial€system,€suchÐ 8ˆ Ðintervention€will€depend€on€the€circumstances€and€will€not€be€a€prerequisite€for€the€validity€of€theÐ 2‚ Ðproceedings.Ð ,| ÐÌ24.€€The€Penitentiary€and€Prison€Code€also€had€to€be€amended€in€order€to€implement€the€new€adversarialÐ  p Ðsystem€of€criminal€justice.€€By€Decree€No.€2636€of€2004,€the€President€of€the€Republic€amended€some€ofÐ j Ðthe€provisions€of€Act€No.€65€of€1993,€including,€in€particular:€€the€guarantee€that€no€one€shall€be€detainedÐ d Ðin€a€custodial€establishment€without€authorization€of€his€or€her€arrest€or€pretrial€detention€by€a€supervisoryÐ ^ Ðjudge€for€the€purpose€of€guaranteeing€the€appearance€of€the€accused€at€the€criminal€proceedings,€theÐ  X Ðpreservation€of€evidence,€the€protection€of€the€community€„€particularly€the€victims€„€and€the€effectivenessÐ !R Ðof€the€penalty;€and€the€judicial€police€powers€conferred€on€directors„general€at€the€regional€andÐ ü!L Ðestablishment€level,€which€permitted€them€to€investigate€offences€committed€at€their€level.Ð ö"F ÐÌ25.€€Furthermore,€in€keeping€with€chapter€three€of€the€National€Development€Plan€2002„2006€ð ðTowardsÐ ê$: ! Ða€Community„based€Stateðð,€which€provides€for€a€strengthening€of€the€administration€of€justice,€the€MinistryÐ ä%4!" Ðof€Internal€Affairs€and€Justice€has€been€implementing€the€access€policy€through€its€Access€to€JusticeÐ Þ&."# ÐDirectorate€in€the€form€of€three€major€programmes:€€the€National€Houses€of€Justice€Programme€whichÐ Ø'(#$ Ðfacilitates€community€access€to€formal€and€informal€judicial€services€in€order€to€achieve€the€peacefulÐ Ò("$% Ðresolution€of€conflicts€and€to€promote€coexistence,€and€in€the€context€of€which€37€houses€had€been€builtÐ Ì)%& Ðin€different€regions€of€the€country€by€3€December€2004;€the€National€Citizen€Coexistence€Centres,€aÐ Æ*&' Ðprogramme€which€was€launched€in€Barrancabermeja€in€2001€as€a€municipal€initiative€and€has€beenÐ À+'( Ðcoordinated€since€2003€by€the€National€Government,€is€aimed€at€providing€the€countryððs€more€conflict„Ð º, () Ðprone€regional€communities€with€access€to€local€law€and€order€institutions€through€programmes€andÐ ´-)* Ðinitiatives€that€promote€and€foster€citizensðð€values,€citizen€coexistence€and€peaceful€conflict€resolution;€andÐ ° Ðthe€National€Programme€for€Reconciliation€Based€on€Law€and€Equity,€an€alternative€conflict€resolutionÐ ªú Ðmechanism€whereby€two€or€more€persons€take€independent€action€to€resolve€their€disputes€with€theÐ ¤ô Ðassistance€of€a€qualified€impartial€third€party€known€as€a€conciliator.€Ð žî ÐÌòòAction€against€impunityóóÐ ’ â ÐÌ26.€€With€regard€to€action€against€impunity€for€serious€human€rights€violations€and€breaches€of€internationalÐ † Ö Ðhumanitarian€law,€special€mention€should€be€made€of€the€implementation€since€October€2003€of€anÐ € Ð Ðinternational€cooperation€project€involving€the€provision€of€technical€support€for€the€organization€of€an€Inter„Ð z Ê  Ðagency€Management€and€Coordination€System€with€two€basic€objectives:Ð tÄ  ÐÌà0  à(a)€€To€expedite€and€follow€up€134€cases€of€serious€human€rights€violations€and€breaches€ofÐ h¸  Ðinternational€humanitarian€law.€€Action€to€expedite€the€cases€consists€in€providing€the€financial€andÐ b²  Ðlogistic€resources€that€the€bodies€responsible€for€investigation€need€to€ensure€the€timely€andÐ \¬  Ðproficient€conduct€of€the€proceedings€on€the€basis€of€pre„established€working€methods;ÐV¦(#(# ÐÌà0  à(b)€€To€design€and€implement€a€public€policy€aimed€at€counteracting€impunity€for€serious€humanÐ Jš Ðrights€violations€and€breaches€of€international€humanitarian€law.ÐD”(#(# ÐÌ27.€€These€two€objectives€are€pursued€through€inter„agency€coordination€and€cooperation€among€theÐ 8ˆ Ðbodies€represented€on€the€Special€Committee€to€Promote€the€Investigation€of€Human€Rights€Violations€andÐ 2‚ Ðthe€Committeeððs€Working€Group.òò1óóÐ ,| ÐÌ28.€€The€Special€Committee€is€mandated,€in€particular,€to€expedite,€in€accordance€with€the€law€and€withoutÐ  p Ðobstructing€the€work€of€the€competent€bodies,€relevant€proceedings€related€to€human€rights€investigations,Ð j Ðand€to€coordinate€and€expedite€the€conduct€of€the€investigations,€together€with€the€competent€officials€inÐ d Ðeach€body,€in€order€to€ensure€harmonious€collaboration€in€attaining€their€objectives.Ð ^ ÐÌ29.€€The€Action€against€Impunity€Project€involves€three€basic€types€of€activity,€namely:Ð !R ÐÌà0  à(a)€€òòExpediting€casesóó:€€Providing€financial€support€to€bodies€responsible€for€investigating€cases€ofÐ ö"F Ðhuman€rights€violations€and€breaches€of€international€humanitarian€law€for€the€purpose€ofÐ ð#@  Ðundertaking€special€missions€involving€the€dispatch€of€investigation€teams€to€places€whereÐ ê$: ! Ðevidentiary€material€or€information€that€could€assist€in€clarifying€the€facts€is€located.€€There€are€twoÐ ä%4!" Ðkinds€of€mission:€€(i)€individuals,€who€focus€on€clarifying€the€circumstances€of€a€single€case;€and€(ii)Ð Þ&."# Ðregional€missions,€which€seek€to€expedite€a€number€of€interrelated€cases;ÐØ'(#$(#(# Ð__________________Ð Ò("$% ÐÌòò1óó€In€accordance€with€Decree€No.€2429€of€1998,€the€Special€Committee€is€composed€of€the€Vice-PresidentÐ Æ*&' Ðof€the€Republic,€who€chairs€the€proceedings,€the€Minister€of€Internal€Affairs€and€Justice€or€his€or€herÐ À+'( Ðrepresentative,€and€the€Attorney„General€or€his€or€her€representative.€€The€Decree€allows€for€theÐ º, () Ðparticipation€in€Committee€meetings€of€human€rights€NGOs€and€other€bodies€with€responsibility€or€expertiseÐ ´-)* Ðin€the€area€in€question.€€In€addition,€the€meetings€have€occasionally€been€attended€by€the€Ombudsman,€theÐ ° ÐPresident€of€the€Higher€Council€of€the€Judiciary€and€the€President€of€its€Board€of€Directors,€the€DirectorÐ ªú Ðof€the€Central€Office€of€the€Judicial€Police,€the€Director€of€Justice€and€Security€of€the€National€PlanningÐ ¤ô ÐDepartment€and€a€representative€of€the€Director€of€the€Office€in€Colombia€of€the€Office€of€the€UnitedÐ žî ÐNations€High€Commissioner€for€Human€Rights.Ð ˜è ÐÌà0  à(b)€€òòFacilitating€inter„agency€coordinationóó:€€The€Project€serves€as€a€framework€and€a€meansÐ Œ Ü Ðof€communication€between€the€bodies€forming€part€of€both€the€criminal€justice€system€and€theÐ † Ö Ðdisciplinary€control€system€that€are€responsible€for€investigating€cases€of€human€rights€violations€andÐ € Ð Ðbreaches€of€international€humanitarian€law.€€The€purpose€of€this€activity€is€to€promote€exchangesÐ z Ê  Ðof€information€and€the€design€and€reformulation€of€joint€action€strategies;ÐtÄ (#(# ÐÌà0  à(c)€€òòFormulating€the€policy€aimed€at€strengthening€the€Colombian€Stateððs€capacity€toÐ h¸  Ðinvestigate€and€punish€human€rights€violations€and€breaches€of€international€humanitarianÐ b²  Ðlawóó:€€On€the€basis€of€joint€work€by€the€State€bodies€responsible€for€action€against€impunity€in€casesÐ \¬  Ðof€human€rights€violations€and€breaches€of€international€humanitarian€law,€and€a€number€ofÐ V¦ Ðanalytical€studies€of€the€phenomenon,€a€policy€document€was€drawn€up€as€a€medium„€andÐ P  Ðlong-term€handbook€for€the€Colombian€State€in€support€of€its€aim€of€addressing€the€obstacles€thatÐ Jš Ðmake€it€difficult€or€impossible€to€resolve€cases€of€human€rights€violations€and€breaches€ofÐ D” Ðinternational€humanitarian€law€and€to€punish€the€perpetrators€and€compensate€their€victims.Ð>Ž(#(# ÐÌ30.€€The€overall€aim€of€the€policy€as€thus€defined€calls€for€the€strengthening€of€existing€organizations,Ð 2‚ Ðpractices€and€procedures€for€detecting€human€rights€violations€and€breaches€of€international€humanitarianÐ ,| Ðlaw,€resolving€the€cases,€punishing€the€perpetrators€and€compensating€the€victims.€€It€further€calls€for€anÐ &v Ðimprovement€in€the€normative€framework€to€harmonize€the€sources€of€existing€norms.Ð  p ÐÌ31.€€The€following€are€some€of€the€practical€achievements€of€activities€under€the€Action€against€ImpunityÐ d ÐProject:Ð ^ ÐÌà0  à(a)€€òòImparting€of€momentum€to€the€investigationsóó:€€The€promotional€activities€succeeded€inÐ !R Ðextracting€many€of€the€cases€of€human€rights€violations€and€breaches€of€international€humanitarianÐ ü!L Ðlaw€selected€by€the€Special€Committee€from€the€state€of€stagnation€into€which€they€had€sunk.€€AsÐ ö"F Ðevidence€of€this,€the€National€Human€Rights€Unit€of€the€Public€Prosecutorððs€Office€presented€theÐ ð#@  Ðfollowing€results€of€action€to€expedite€the€134€cases€selected€by€the€Committee€in€its€consolidatedÐ ê$: ! Ðreport€issued€in€December€2005:Ðä%4!"(#(# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à(i)€€A€total€of€159€individual€missions€and€10€regional€missions€were€undertaken€in€theÐ Ø'(#$ Ðcourse€of€which€83€selected€cases€and€384€unselected€cases€were€expedited;ÐÒ("$%` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à(ii)€€A€total€of€114€persons€were€convicted:€€4€were€members€of€the€National€Army,€1€wasÐ Æ*&' Ða€common€criminal,€108€were€members€of€the€illegal€armed€self„defence€groups€and€1€wasÐ À+'( Ða€member€of€the€Fuerzas€Armadas€Revolucionarias€de€Colombia€(Revolutionary€ArmedÐ º, () ÐForces€of€Colombia€-€FARC).€€Moreover,€a€total€of€307€persons€were€arrested;д-)*` (#` (# Їà0  àà0` (#(#à(iii)€€Eighty„one€orders€were€issued€for€the€initiation€of€investigations,€42€for€the€initiationÐ ° Ðof€preliminary€investigations€and€108€for€the€transfer€of€jurisdiction€for€preliminaryÐ ªú Ðinvestigations;Фô` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#à(iv)€€One€hundred€and€forty„three€orders€were€issued€for€the€imposition€of€measures€toÐ ˜è Ðensure€pretrial€detention,€50€were€issued€for€indictments€and€47€for€the€closure€ofÐ ’ â Ðinvestigations;€there€were€also€30€declarations€of€missing€persons.€€As€at€December€2005,Ð Œ Ü Ða€total€of€31€special€missions€had€been€financed€in€the€context€of€action€by€the€Office€ofÐ † Ö Ðthe€Attorney-General.€€As€a€result€of€the€missions,€25€cases€were€expedited,€of€which€13Ð € Ð Ðrepresented€disciplinary€investigations€and€12€special€actions€by€the€Public€ProsecutorððsÐ z Ê  ÐOffice€in€criminal€investigations.€€The€following€results€were€achieved€through€the€expeditingÐ tÄ  Ðof€cases:Ðn¾ ` (#` (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#à„€€Forty„four€per€cent€of€the€cases€selected€by€the€Committee€were€dismissed,€90Ð b²  Ðper€cent€on€the€ground€of€lack€of€evidence€and€10€per€cent€on€the€ground€of€expiryÐ \¬  Ðof€the€time€limit€for€disciplinary€action;ÐV¦¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#à„€Of€the€total€number€of€cases€dismissed,€72€per€cent€were€dismissed€at€the€stageÐ Jš Ðof€preliminary€investigation€and€28€per€cent€at€the€stage€of€disciplinaryÐ D” Ðinvestigation;Ð>ޏ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#à„€Seventeen€per€cent€of€the€cases€covered€by€the€Committee€had€already€beenÐ 2‚ Ðdismissed€when€they€were€selected;Ð,|¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#à„€Twenty„seven€per€cent€of€the€cases€financed€by€the€Committee€led€to€aÐ  p Ðjudgement;€of€these€79€per€cent€were€convictions€and€21€per€cent€acquittals;Ðj¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#à„€Twenty„nine€per€cent€of€judgements€were€rendered€at€the€stage€of€theÐ ^ Ðpreliminary€investigation,€27€per€cent€at€the€stage€of€the€disciplinary€investigationÐ  X Ðand€the€remaining€44€per€cent€at€the€stage€of€preferment€of€charges€or€defenceÐ !R Ðpleadings.Ðü!L¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà0  à(b)€€òòInter„agency€coordinationóó:€€The€activities€carried€out€under€the€Action€against€ImpunityÐ ð#@  ÐProject€helped€to€consolidate€the€Special€Committee€and€its€Working€Group€as€forums€for€theÐ ê$: ! Ðexchange€of€information€and€joint€identification€of€criteria€and€guidelines€for€expediting€cases.€Ð ä%4!" ÐMoreover,€it€was€through€these€two€bodies€that€the€Project€obtained€and€discussed€the€inputs€andÐ Þ&."# Ðoutcomes€of€the€ð ðpolicy€aimed€at€strengthening€the€Colombian€Stateððs€capacity€to€investigate€andÐ Ø'(#$ Ðpunish€human€rights€violations€and€breaches€of€international€humanitarian€lawðð;ÐÒ("$%(#(# ÐÌà0  à(c)€€òòLearning€in€support€of€policymakingóó:€€The€Project€carried€out€and€promoted€analyticalÐ Æ*&' Ðstudies€of€factors€that€are€conducive€to€impunity€for€human€rights€violations€and€breaches€ofÐ À+'( Ðinternational€humanitarian€law€in€Colombia.€€The€studies€focused€on€eliminating€the€obstacles€thatÐ º, () Ðthe€bodies€responsible€for€investigation€and€punishment€in€such€cases€face€in€seeking€to€shed€lightÐ ´-)* Ðon€the€circumstances.€€The€Project€also€drew€on€the€recommendations€made€to€the€ColombianÐ ° ÐState€by€international€and€national€agencies€and€on€studies€carried€out€by€other€State€and€non„StateÐ ªú Ðbodies;Фô(#(# ÐÌà0  à(d)€€òòInvestigation€strategiesóó:€€The€activities€carried€out€under€the€Project€helped€to€enhanceÐ ˜è Ðcapacity€for€the€planning€of€investigation€activities€by€the€responsible€bodies.€€This€resulted€in€theÐ ’ â Ðdevelopment€of€biannual€plans€for€expediting€cases€and€regional€strategies,€which€enabled€progressÐ Œ Ü Ðto€be€made€in€implementing€the€principles€of€speed,€efficiency€and€economy;І Ö(#(# ÐÌà0  à(e)€€òòIssue€of€a€policy€documentóó:€€In€August€and€October€2005,€the€Action€against€ImpunityÐ z Ê  ÐProject€convened€working€groups€composed€of€all€bodies€involved€in€the€investigation,€adjudicationÐ tÄ  Ðand€sanctioning€of€cases€of€human€rights€violations€and€breaches€of€international€humanitarian€lawÐ n¾  Ðin€order€to€identify€projects€that€would€form€part€of€the€policy€and€to€establish€their€profiles.€€TheÐ h¸  Ðworking€groups€identified€24€projects€aimed€at€achieving€the€17€policy€goals€and€the€overallÐ b²  Ðobjective.Ð\¬ (#(# ÐÌ32.€€At€its€meeting€on€22€November€2005,€the€Special€Committee€adopted€the€ð ðòòpolicy€to€counterÐ P  Ðimpunity€in€cases€of€human€rights€violations€and€breaches€of€international€humanitarian€law€byÐ Jš Ðstrengthening€the€Colombian€Stateððs€capacity€to€investigate,€adjudicate€and€punishóóðð€and€decided€thatÐ D” Ðit€should€be€issued€in€the€form€of€a€document€by€the€National€Economic€and€Social€Policy€CouncilÐ >Ž Ð(CONPES).€€In€keeping€with€the€Committeeððs€mandate,€work€on€the€document€began€with€the€technicalÐ 8ˆ Ðcooperation€of€the€Justice€and€Security€Directorate€of€the€National€Planning€Department€and€other€relevantÐ 2‚ Ðbodies.€€In€December€and€January€2006€inter„agency€working€groups€were€held€with€the€bodies€that€wouldÐ ,| Ðbe€implementing€the€policy€actions€in€order€to€determine€how€each€policy€project€would€be€financed.€€InÐ &v Ðaddition,€the€Project€worked€with€the€above„mentioned€Directorate€on€the€final€draft€of€the€document.Ð  p ÐÌ33.€€At€its€meeting€on€6€March€2006,€CONPES€adopted€Document€No.€3411€containing€the€policy,€whichÐ d Ðconsists€of€17€specific€goals€embodied€in€24€projects€organized€on€the€basis€of€four€strategic€thrusts,Ð ^ Ðnamely:€€(a)€institutional€and€organizational€development;€(b)€resource€management€focusing€on€theÐ  X Ðdevelopment€of€human€resources;€(c)€welfare€of€victims€and€witnesses;€and€(d)€specific€operationalÐ !R Ðconditions€for€investigation€and€prosecution.€€The€CONPES€document€allocates€a€total€of€Col$Ð ü!L Ð40,083,946,000€for€implementation€of€the€policy€over€a€period€of€three€years.Ð ö"F ÐÌ34.€€Lastly,€the€Project€is€engaged€in€the€process€of€design,€streamlining€and€implementation€of€the€policyÐ ê$: ! Ðfollow„up€modalities.€€Thus,€in€January€2006€the€first€round€of€consultations€was€launched€to€identifyÐ ä%4!" Ðrelevant€benchmarks€for€measuring€progress€towards€achieving€the€policy€goals€and€in€the€meantime€allÐ Þ&."# Ðproposed€benchmarks€have€been€received€from€each€of€the€bodies€involved€in€the€investigation,Ð Ø'(#$ Ðadjudication€and€sanctioning€of€cases€of€human€rights€violations€and€breaches€of€international€humanitarianÐ Ò("$% Ðlaw.Ð Ì)%& ÐÌòòDocumentation€of€torture€in€cases€of€violations€of€personal€integrity€and€the€right€to€lifeóóÐ À+'( ÐÌ35.€€The€National€Institute€of€Forensic€Medicine€and€Forensic€Sciences,€a€public€establishment€attachedÐ ´-)* Ðto€the€Public€Prosecutorððs€Office,€has€embarked€on€a€training€process€which€has€included,€among€otherÐ ° Ðactivities:Ð ªú ÐÌà0  à(a)€€Presentation€of€the€Istanbul€Protocol€at€the€National€Congress€on€Forensic€Medicine€andÐ žî ÐForensic€Sciences€in€November€2002;Иè(#(# ÐÌà0  à(b)€€Training€of€forensic€medicine€experts€in€modern€technical€and€scientific€procedures€used€toÐ Œ Ü Ðinvestigate€deaths€and€in€the€preservation€and€recording€of€physical€evidence.€€The€training€hasÐ † Ö Ðincluded€classroom„based€scientific€programmes€concerning€the€importance€of€bringing€forensicÐ € Ð Ðpractice€into€conformity€with€the€guidelines€contained€in€the€Manual€on€the€Effective€Prevention€andÐ z Ê  ÐInvestigation€of€Extra„legal,€Arbitrary€and€Summary€Executions€published€by€the€United€NationsÐ tÄ  Ðin€1991;€the€parts€of€that€publication€which€have€a€bearing€on€the€examination€of€corpses€wereÐ n¾  Ðincluded€in€the€Manual€on€Practices€for€Medico„legal€Autopsies€adopted€as€an€institutionalÐ h¸  Ðstandard€under€the€Agreement€of€11€September€2002.€€In€addition,€the€Instituteððs€basic€proceduralÐ b²  Ðguides€for€the€conduct€of€medico„legal€autopsies€deal€with€specific€points€such€as€identification€ofÐ \¬  Ðsexual€offences,€examination€of€decomposed€corpses€or€body€parts€that€have€or€have€not€beenÐ V¦ Ðretrieved€from€water,€injuries€caused€by€electric€current€and€other€possible€circumstances€orÐ P  Ðfindings€that€may€be€associated€with€or€constitute€acts€of€torture;ÐJš(#(# ÐÌà0  à(c)€€The€application€in€the€region€covered€by€the€forensic€pathology€service€of€the€autopsy€protocolÐ >Ž Ðdeveloped€by€the€United€Nations€as€a€guide€for€a€comprehensive€autopsy€to€detect€possibleÐ 8ˆ Ðviolations€of€human€rights€and€international€humanitarian€law€in€all€cases€subject€to€a€medico„legalÐ 2‚ Ðautopsy,€especially€in€the€context€of€events€occurring€in€combat€zones.€€The€protocol€ensures€soundÐ ,| Ðscientific€documentation€of€the€findings€and€achievement€of€the€aims€of€a€criminal€investigationÐ &v Ðthrough€the€systematic€examination€and€description€of€the€corpse.€€Provision€has€been€made€for€theÐ  p Ðapplication€„€where€working€conditions€preclude€its€full€adoption€„€of€the€emergency€measures€andÐ j Ðadjustments€contemplated€in€the€protocol€itself;Ðd(#(# ÐÌà0  à(d)€€Development€of€a€basic€quality€monitoring€programme€involving€a€review€of€the€legalÐ  X Ðqualifications€of€each€expert€witness€to€conduct€autopsies,€particularly€in€terms€of€the€detection€andÐ !R Ðdetailed€documentation€of€injuries€that€cause€pain€and€suffering,€signs€of€forced€immobilization€orÐ ü!L Ðsexual€assault€and€evidence€or€a€record€of€concealment€of€the€body€or€activities€designed€toÐ ö"F Ðprevent€identification;Ðð#@ (#(# ÐÌà0  à(e)€€Development€of€programmes€designed€to€ensure€reliable€identification€of€the€deceased€in€everyÐ ä%4!" Ðmedico„legal€autopsy,€including€monitoring€of€the€location€of€the€corpse€in€case€an€exhumation€isÐ Þ&."# Ðrequired.ÐØ'(#$(#(# ÐÌ36.€€In€keeping€with€the€foregoing,€the€Institute€has€been€implementing€a€System€of€EpidemiologicalÐ Ì)%& ÐVigilance€in€respect€of€Injuries€from€External€Causes€(SIVELCE)€which€has€been€collecting€data€on€theÐ Æ*&' Ðsubject€since€2003€under€the€heading€ð ðHuman€Rights„related€Variablesðð€on€the€basis€of€the€followingÐ À+'( Ðdefinitions:Ð º, () ÐÐ ´-)* Ðà0  à(a)€€Evidence€of€physical€torture€(applicable€in€cases€of€homicide€or€personal€injuries):€€record€theÐ ° Ðcombination€of€signs€that€may€constitute€evidence€of€torture€having€been€inflicted€on€the€victim,Ð ªú Ðbearing€in€mind€that€such€evidence€must€be€distinguished€from€any€other€type€of€injury€inflicted€sinceÐ ¤ô Ðthe€personððs€death;Оî(#(# ÐÌà0  à(b)€€Evidence€of€immobilization:€€if€the€dead€or€injured€person€presents€signs€of€one€or€more€of€theÐ ’ â Ðfollowing:€€hand€restraints,€feet€restraints,€body€restraints,€gagging;ÐŒ Ü(#(# ÐÌà0  à(c)€€Evidence€of€infliction€of€pain:€€if€the€dead€or€injured€person€presents€one€or€more€traces€ofÐ € Ð Ðpunctures,€burns,€cuts,€blows,€electric€shocks,€excessive€pressure;Ðz Ê (#(# ÐÌà0  à(d)€€Evidence€of€pre„mortem€mutilation:€€if€the€dead€or€injured€person€has€suffered€amputation€ofÐ n¾  Ðnails,€phalanges,€hands,€feet,€extremities,€head,€eyes,€tongue,€sexual€organs,€ears,€nose,€hair;Ðh¸ (#(# ÐÌà0  à(e)€€Evidence€of€practices€precipitating€death:€€i.e.€if€the€dead€or€injured€person€has€a€bag€over€hisÐ \¬  Ðor€her€head€or€shows€signs€of€submersion.ÐV¦(#(# ÐÌ37.€€In€addition,€steps€have€been€taken€to€develop€a€system€for€monitoring€possible€violations€of€humanÐ Jš Ðrights€and€international€humanitarian€law€by€proposing€criteria€for€including€corpses€among€those€subjectedÐ D” Ðto€a€medico„legal€autopsy;€the€criteria€facilitate€the€selective€inclusion€of€cases€from€the€very€beginning€eitherÐ >Ž Ðof€the€autopsy€„€where€even€the€cause€of€death€is€as€yet€unknown€but€the€circumstances€arouse€suspicion€„Ð 8ˆ Ðor€of€the€reported€disappearance€of€a€person€where€the€circumstances€of€the€disappearance€have€not€yetÐ 2‚ Ðbeen€confirmed.€€Investigative€machinery€can€thus€be€set€in€motion€at€an€early€stage€before€any€judicialÐ ,| Ðdecision€is€taken€in€view€of€the€considerable€time€required€for€investigation,€recording€of€the€evidence€andÐ &v Ðcharacterization€of€a€crime€such€as€enforced€disappearance€or€torture.Ð  p ÐÌ38.€€Notwithstanding€the€foregoing,€obstacles€continue€to€impede€the€more€effective€gathering€of€evidenceÐ d Ðof€torture€in€cases€of€violations€of€the€right€to€life.€€One€obstacle€relates€to€cases€of€death€where,€asÐ ^ Ðfrequently€occurs,€it€has€not€been€feasible€to€draw€up€special€working€protocols€since€at€the€time€of€theÐ  X Ðautopsy€the€circumstances€and€perpetrators€of€the€crime€are€unknown€and€it€is€also€unclear,€where€theÐ !R Ðinjuries€are€inconspicuous€as€happens€in€some€cases€of€torture,€whether€torture€was€in€fact€committed€andÐ ü!L Ðis€related€to€the€cause€of€death.€€Highly€trained€and€experienced€forensic€personnel€are€needed€to€improveÐ ö"F Ðthe€ð ðsuspicion€indexðð,€an€aspect€on€which€the€National€Institute€of€Forensic€Medicine€is€still€working,€butÐ ð#@  Ðit€will€be€necessary€to€take€additional€steps€to€acquire€the€requisite€medical/scientific€facilities€in€some€officesÐ ê$: ! Ð(i.e.€radiographic€equipment,€inputs€for€processing€DNA,€etc.).Ð ä%4!" ÐÌ39.€€Furthermore,€the€National€Institute€of€Forensic€Medicine€and€Forensic€Sciences€is€ensuring€theÐ Ø'(#$ Ðimplementation€of€regulations€governing€the€adoption€of€manuals,€standards€and€technical€guides€such€as:Ð Ò("$% ÐÌà0  à(a)€€Agreement€No.€11€of€2002€adopting€the€Manual€on€Practices€for€Medico„Legal€Autopsies;ÐÆ*&'(#(# ÐÌà0  à(b)€€Administrative€Decision€No.€586€of€2002€adopting€Technical€Regulations€governing€theÐ º, () ÐComprehensive€Forensic€Examination€of€Victims€in€Investigations€of€Sexual€Offences;д-)*(#(# Їà0  à(c)€€Administrative€Decision€No.€953€of€2003€regulating€expert€evidentiary€practice€at€sites€otherÐ ° Ðthan€the€offices€of€the€National€Institute€of€Forensic€Medicine€and€Forensic€Sciences;Ъú(#(# ÐÌà0  à(d)€€Administrative€Decision€No.€1019€of€2004€adopting€handbooks€on€technical€forensicÐ žî Ðprocedures€and€regulations;Иè(#(# ÐÌà0  à(e)€€Administrative€Decision€No.€1026€of€2004€adopting€a€Directive€on€Recording€DigitalÐ Œ Ü ÐPhotographic€Evidence€in€the€Investigation€of€Sexual€Offences€and€Personal€Injuries;І Ö(#(# ÐÌà0  à(f)€€Administrative€Decision€No.€1037€of€2004€adopting€a€Practical€Handbook€for€ForensicÐ z Ê  ÐOdontological€Examinations;ÐtÄ (#(# ÐÌà0  à(g)€€Administrative€Decision€No.€1054€of€2004€adopting€and€regulating€the€use€of€the€InformedÐ h¸  ÐConsent€Format€for€the€conduct€of€medico„legal€examinations€and€procedures€concerning€victimsÐ b²  Ðof€sexual€assault€and€personal€injuries.Ð\¬ (#(# ÐÌ40.€€The€above€measures,€which€have€already€been€implemented,€have€facilitated€the€application€of€theÐ P  ÐIstanbul€Protocol€in€cases€of€torture€without€fatal€consequences€for€the€victims;€the€final€measures€to€ensureÐ Jš Ðits€implementation€are€to€be€taken€shortly.Ð D” ÐÌòòProtection€for€human€rights€defendersóóÐ 8ˆ ÐÌ41.€€Under€the€Protection€Programme€of€the€Ministry€of€Internal€Affairs€and€Justice,€the€following€activitiesÐ ,| Ðhave€been€undertaken€and€will€continue€to€be€carried€out:Ð &v ÐÌà0  à(a)€€òòPreventive€security€training€in€the€regionsóó:€€Training€workshops€designed€to€developÐ j Ðindividual€skills€so€that€people€can€handle€risk€situations€that€arise€because€of€the€activity€in€whichÐ d Ðthey€engage€by€learning€to€prevent,€assess€and€tackle€potential€events€without€resorting€to€the€useÐ ^ Ðof€weapons.€€Nine€workshops€were€held€between€January€and€March€2006€in€the€DepartmentsÐ  X Ðof€Cundinamarca€and€Antioquia,€and€since€May€2006€workshops€have€been€held€in€theÐ !R ÐDepartments€of€Cauca,€Norte€de€Santander,€Nario,€Santander,€Risaralda€and€Tolima,€as€a€resultÐ ü!L Ðof€which€a€total€of€547€persons€have€been€trained;Ðö"F(#(# ÐÌà0  à(b)€€òòConsolidation€of€the€Protection€Programme€in€the€regionsóó:€€Creation€and€developmentÐ ê$: ! Ðof€areas€of€interaction€between€the€civil€and€police€authorities€and€the€Programme€beneficiaryÐ ä%4!" Ð(target)€community,€which€are€to€be€consolidated€by€May€2006,€and€implementation€of€analysisÐ Þ&."# Ðand€monitoring€mechanisms€for€the€development€of€community€prevention€and€protection€strategiesÐ Ø'(#$ Ðinvolving€the€authorities€and€the€target€community€by€June€2006.ÐÒ("$%(#(# ÐÌ42.€€With€regard€to€the€Programme€budget,€the€Ministry€of€Finance€and€Public€Credit,€responding€to€anÐ Æ*&' Ðapplication€from€the€Ministry€of€Internal€Affairs€and€Justice,€appropriated€the€sum€of€Col$€32,123€millionÐ À+'( Ðfor€the€financial€year€2005,€to€which€it€added€the€sum€of€Col$€16,100€million€in€August€2006.€€The€MinistryÐ º, () Ðof€Finance€appropriated€a€sum€of€Col$€50,393,400€million€for€the€financial€year€2006,€and€a€sum€of€Col$Ð ´-)* Ð3,500€million€was€received€through€the€United€States€Agency€for€International€Development€(USAID),Ð ° Ðgiving€a€total€of€Col$€53,893,400€million,€with€a€view€to€fully€meeting€the€protection€requirements€for€whichÐ ªú Ðthe€Ministry€of€Internal€Affairs€and€Justice€is€responsible,€including€protection€of€human€rights€defenders.Ð ¤ô ÐÌ43.€€With€regard€to€the€important€goal€of€promoting€and€strengthening€the€work€of€human€rights€defenders,Ð ˜è Ðin€the€Colombian€public€service€the€directorate€of€the€Civil€Service€Administration€Department€(DAFP),Ð ’ â Ðin€its€capacity€as€President€of€the€Advisory€Council€on€Internal€Control,€sent€an€official€communication€inÐ Œ Ü ÐAugust€2005€to€all€officers€responsible€for€internal€control€„€at€both€national€and€local€level€„€instructingÐ † Ö Ðthem€to€include€in€their€prevention€and€improvement€activities€the€defence€and€protection€of€human€rightsÐ € Ð Ðby€all€public€servants,€in€accordance€with€clauses€5€to€10€of€article€48€of€the€Single€Disciplinary€CodeÐ z Ê  Ðcontained€in€Act€No.€734€of€2002.€€With€the€same€end€in€view,€the€Office€of€the€Attorney„General,€throughÐ tÄ  Ðits€Disciplinary€Representative€for€the€Defence€of€Human€Rights,€the€Group€of€Human€Rights€Advisors€andÐ n¾  Ðthe€National€Special€Investigations€Directorate,€is€conducting€investigations€of€alleged€conduct€by€publicÐ h¸  Ðservants€in€violation€of€human€rights.Ð b²  ÐÌ44.€€At€a€meeting€in€November€2005€between€State€institutions€and€a€number€of€human€rights€NGOs,€itÐ V¦ Ðwas€announced€that€the€Office€of€the€Attorney„General€would€undertake€an€analysis€of€the€scope€andÐ P  Ðdifficulties€raised€by€clause€53€of€article€48€of€the€Single€Disciplinary€Code,€which€characterizes€as€a€veryÐ Jš Ðserious€offence:€ð ðFailure€to€comply€with€the€orders€and€instructions€contained€in€the€Presidential€DirectivesÐ D” Ðaimed€at€the€promotion€of€human€rights€and€the€application€of€international€humanitarian€law€ð8ððð;€theÐ >Ž Ðanalysis€should€be€completed€by€March€2006€and€enable€the€Office€of€the€Attorney„General€to€identifyÐ 8ˆ Ðways€and€means€of€implementing€the€clause€in€question€and€to€assess€its€contribution€to€fulfilment€of€theÐ 2‚ Ðrecommendation€to€that€effect€made€by€the€Office€of€the€United€Nations€High€Commissioner€for€HumanÐ ,| ÐRights.Ð &v ÐÌ45.€€Furthermore,€in€pursuance€of€Ministerial€Directive€No.€9€of€2003,€the€General€Command€of€theÐ j ÐMilitary€Forces€issued€and€assigned€special€instructions€through€circular€No.€133€of€23€January€2004€toÐ d Ðall€minor€and€tactical€operational€units€concerning€the€information€that€should€be€gathered€with€a€view€toÐ ^ Ðprotecting€the€human€rights€of€trade€unionists€and€human€rights€defenders€and€the€need€to€refrain€fromÐ  X Ðmaking€unfounded€statements€that€could€place€these€vulnerable€groups€at€risk.€€For€instance,€the€units€mustÐ !R Ðreport€during€the€first€three€days€of€every€month€on€the€results€of€the€tactical€operations€under€way€toÐ ü!L Ðprotect€trade€unions€and€human€rights€organizations,€indicating€which€groups€are€most€at€risk€from€pressuresÐ ö"F Ðemanating€from€the€illegal€armed€groups€and€notifying€the€appropriate€party€of€the€stage€reached€in€theÐ ð#@  Ðdisciplinary€or€criminal€investigations.Ð ê$: ! ÐÌ46.€€With€regard€to€the€promotion€of€contacts€between€the€Government€and€human€rights€organizations,Ð Þ&."# Ðthe€existence€of€a€number€of€institutional€forums€in€Colombia€where€such€contacts€occur€on€a€periodic€andÐ Ø'(#$ Ðpermanent€basis€is€a€well„known€fact.€€The€forums€are€designed€to€respond€to€specific€human€rightsÐ Ò("$% Ðproblems€and€issues€in€the€country,€such€as€the€monitoring€and€implementation€of€precautionary€and€interimÐ Ì)%& Ðmeasures€„€in€the€context€of€the€inter„American€protection€regime,€internal€displacement,€enforcedÐ Æ*&' Ðdisappearance€and€monitoring€of€the€implementation€of€international€recommendations.Ð À+'( ÐÌ47.€€In€pursuance€of€the€policy€of€prevention€of€human€rights€violations,€action€was€taken€in€30€of€theÐ ´-)* Ðcountryððs€32€departments€and€in€the€main€departmental€townships€to€incorporate€the€question€of€humanÐ ° Ðrights€and€international€humanitarian€law€in€the€development€plans€submitted€by€governors€and€mayors,Ð ªú Ðwhich€were€adopted€by€the€corresponding€departmental€assemblies€and€town€councils.€€Twenty„sevenÐ ¤ô Ðaction€plans€were€drawn€up€by€the€departments€and€186€by€the€municipal€authorities.€€Civil€societyÐ žî Ðorganizations,€human€rights€defenders€and€peace€activists€participated€in€both€processes,€in€conformity€withÐ ˜è Ðthe€Governmentððs€policy€of€partnership€and€institutionalization.€€The€process€of€implementation€of€the€actionÐ ’ â Ðplans€at€the€departmental€and€municipal€level€also€involved€constant€interaction€with€human€rights€and€peaceÐ Œ Ü Ðorganizations,€their€continuous€participation€in€human€rights€training€and€dissemination€processes,€andÐ † Ö Ðinvolvement€in€the€processes€of€young€people€and€children€from€schools€and€colleges.Ð € Ð ÐÌ48.€€Continuous€contacts€were€maintained€with€national€human€rights€organizations€during€the€jointÐ tÄ  Ðpreparation€of€the€National€Action€Plan€for€Human€Rights€and€International€Humanitarian€Law.€Ð n¾  ÐConsultations€were€promoted€at€both€the€national€and€regional€level€through€meetings€with€differentÐ h¸  Ðauthorities€to€discuss€issues€of€special€interest€to€the€organizations.€€Continuous€institutionalized€contactsÐ b²  Ðwith€human€rights€and€civil€society€organizations€have€been€cultivated€in€forums€such€as€the€RiskÐ \¬  ÐAssessment€Committees,€the€Workersðð€Human€Rights€Committee,€the€Committee€to€Trace€DisappearedÐ V¦ ÐPersons,€the€Threatened€Teachers€Committee€and€the€Departmental€Committees€of€the€Medical€Mission.Ð P  ÐÌÔCE.,US.,ñ^ÔÓC_Ó