SECOND REPORT ON THE SITUATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN COLOMBIA

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER I: THE ON-SITE VISITS OF THE IACHR TO COLOMBIA 1990-1992

CHAPTER II: THE VIOLENCE PHENOMENON

CHAPTER III: THE POLITICAL AND LEGAL SYSTEM IN COLOMBIA

CHAPTER IV: THE RIGHT TO A FAIR TRIAL

CHAPTER V: RIGHT TO PERSONAL LIBERTY

CHAPTER VI: THE RIGHT TO PERSONAL SECURITY AND HUMANE TREATMENT

CHAPTER VII: THE RIGHT TO LIFE

CHAPTER VIII: THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION AND TO FORM AND JOIN UNIONS

CHAPTER IX: FREEDOM OF THOUGHT AND EXPRESSION

CHAPTER X: HOW THE ACTIVITIES OF IRREGULAR ARMED GROUPS AFFECT HUMAN RIGHTS IN COLOMBIA

CHAPTER XI: THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN COLOMBIA

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SECOND SPECIAL REPORT ON THE SITUATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN COLOMBIA

WHEREAS:

At its 78th session, held in Washington, D.C., September 24 through October 5, 1990, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights considered the invitation that the Government of Colombia had extended in response to a request from the Commission to conduct an on-site visit to observe and investigate the human rights situation in that country;

At that session, the Commission designated a Special Committee to make a preparatory visit, which visit occurred in the first week of December 1990; by mutual agreement with the Colombian Government, that preparatory visit was followed by a second on-site visit in May 1992;

The reports that the Special Committees produced as a result of those visits were presented to the full membership of the Commission at its 83rd session; after examining the reports, the Commission approved the Second Special Report on the Situation of Human Rights in Colombia at its meeting of March 12, 1993, which was then sent to the Government on April 30, 1993, so that it might make whatever comments it deemed pertinent;

By a note dated August 3, 1993, the Government of Colombia sent the Commission its observations and comments on the report;

During the 84th session, held in October 1993, the Commission examined the Colombian Government's observations and comments on the Special Report on the Situation of Human Rights in Colombia, in order to decide whether to publish the report, and

The formalities required under Chapter V, Article 62 of the Commission's Regulations concerning preparation, processing and publication of special reports have been discharged,

THE INTER-AMERICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

RESOLVES:

1. To approve the Second Special Report on the Situation of Human Rights in Colombia, OEA/Ser.L/V/II.84, doc. 39, October 14, 1993.

2. To publish the above-entitled report.

3. To report this decision to the Government of Colombia.