VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBO #0303/01 0301957
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 301957Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6750
INFO RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1587
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ JAN PANAMA 2938
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 7641
RUEHGL/AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL 4801
RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC

UNCLAS BOGOTA 000303 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR IO/RHS OSTERMEIR AND PATEL, DRL/MLGA SIBILLA, IO/PSC 
ODELL 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM PREL CO
SUBJECT: COLOMBIA: UN FIELD COVERAGE OF HUMAN RIGHTS 
 
REF: SECSTATE 2023 
 
SUMMARY 
------- 
 
¶1.  (SBU)  The Office of the High Commissioner for Human 
Rights (OHCHR) has ready access to the GOC as an advisor and 
advocate on human rights issues.  The OHCHR successfully 
influenced GOC reforms on key issues, such as the Justice and 
Peace Law and the Code of Military Justice, and works closely 
with the USG to address common human rights concerns.  The 
Office's continued relevance requires a permanent local 
representative who will maintain constructive relationships 
and communication channels with the GOC, civil society, human 
rights groups, and the international community.  A USAID 
earmark grant to the OHCHR Colombia Mission will increase to 
744,000 USD in 2009; OHCHR has had difficulties programming 
USAID's resources within the timeframes required by USG 
regulations.  End Summary 
 
¶2.  (U)  The OHCHR Colombia field mission currently has a 
staff of 75, comprised of 31 international and 44 local 
staff.  Its offices are in Bogota, Cali, Medellin, and 
Bucaramanga.  Last year the field mission launched a 
satellite office seven days a month in Arauca in the UN High 
Commissioner for Refugees mission's regional office.  The 
OHCHR 2009 budget is 8.1 million USD. 
 
Strong Access to GOC 
-------------------- 
 
¶3.  (U)  The OHCHR works as a legal advisor, neutral 
observer, technical assistance provider, human rights 
advocate and educator.  The Office has good access to the GOC 
and works closely with the Defense Ministry, Interior and 
Justice Ministry (MOIJ), the Prosecutor General's Office 
(Fiscalia), the Inspector General (Procuraduria), and the 
Human Rights Ombudsman (Defensoria).  The OHCHR has 
successfully influenced GOC reforms in key areas such as the 
Justice and Peace Law, and the Military Criminal Justice 
Code.  It provides training and cooperation on military 
justice reform and participates in a high-level Defense 
Ministry committee that addresses extrajudicial killing 
committed by GOC security forces. OHCHR also provides 
technical support to the Fiscalia, Procuraduria, Defensoria, 
and MOIJ in key areas such as protection and investigations. 
 
Valuable Partner to NGOs and International Community 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
¶4.  (U)  As a neutral observer, the OHCHR serves as a bridge 
between human rights groups, victims, the international 
community, and the GOC.  The Office monitors victims hearings 
and conducts its own investigations into specific cases.  Its 
credibility and advocacy work have helped focus public and 
GOC attention on key issues such as extrajudicial killings, 
press freedom, and the rights of Afro-Colombians and 
indigenous groups.  The field mission also works with civil 
society, human rights groups, and international organizations 
to educate members of the public on their rights and to press 
for greater resources for the victims of Colombia's conflict. 
 
 
¶5.  (U)  USAID provided earmark funding to support the 
general mandate of the OHCHR Colombia field mission in 2007 
and 2008.  This grant will increase to 744,000 USD in 2009. 
Still, earmark funding has created difficulties for the 
Office in the past, because Geneva controls all funding 
decisions.  As a result, disbursements have often been 
delayed significantly.  OHCHR's weak capacity in Bogota to 
absorb funding and program grants at the speed required under 
USG earmark funding is also a concern. 
 
¶6.  (U)  OHCHR is a strong and collaborative partner with the 
Embassy.  Its personnel regularly exchange information with 
Embassy officers and its regional officers are an invaluable 
source of data on the human rights situation outside of 
Bogota.  The OHCHR works closely with the Embassy to improve 
the Colombian military's human rights performance, including 
the sensitive issue of extrajudicial killings.  For example, 
the Office provided planning assistance and speakers for a 
two-day conference on Human Rights and International 
Humanitarian Law organized by the Embassy for Fiscalia, 
Defense Ministry and military personnel. 
 
Credibility Key to Success 
------------------------ 
 
¶7.  (SBU)  The OHCHR's capacity to achieve concrete 
improvements in Colombia's human rights situation depends on 
its ability to maintain its reputation as a credible, 
objective actor with open lines of communication to the GOC, 
civil society, and the international community.  This is 
often difficult to do in Colombia's highly polarized 
political environment, where all sides push the Office to 
take positions that advance their particular agenda. 
Maintaining the OHCHR's credibility requires a local 
representative with extensive experience working in conflict 
situations, detailed knowledge of human rights issues, and 
deft diplomatic skills. 
BROWNFIELD