51997IP0779

B4-0779 and 0787/97

Resolution on Colombia

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions, in particular its resolution of 12 June 1997 on Colombia ((nutes of that date, Part II, Item 14(b).)),

A. whereas it has repeatedly condemned the violence perpetrated by all the conflicting parties in Colombia,

B. concerned at the situation experienced by much of the Colombian population, which has been obliged to abandon its place of origin and move to other areas of the country on account of the armed conflict,

C. whereas there has been a recent recurrence of the violence seen over the last 30 years, with the attendant risk that the situation will degenerate into total civil war,

D. whereas the guerrillas and the Colombian security forces, through paramilitary groups acting on their behalf, have resorted to violence and engaged in extrajudicial executions, torture and other forms of human rights abuse,

E. underlining the need to restore a climate of peace and respect for human rights in Colombia,

1. Welcomes the submission by the Colombian Government of a proposal concerning the start of negotiations between the conflicting parties and hopes that it will bring a solution to the social and economic problems of the Colombian people and lead to a stable, lasting peace in Colombia;

2. Calls on all parties to open talks immediately within the framework of the above proposal, on the basis of an end to the violence and respect for human rights;

3. Reaffirms its support for the UN Commission on Human Rights representative in Colombia and reiterates the importance of respect for human rights and international humanitarian law as a contribution to ensuring that the peace process leads to the desired result;

4. Calls on the Council and Commission to support this initiative;

5. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the government and parliament of Colombia and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Colombia.