The Governing Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union,

Referring to the case of Ms. Piedad Córdoba, a member of the Senate of Colombia and vocal critic of the Colombian Government, as outlined in the report of the Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians (CL/183/12(b)-R.1), and to the resolution adopted at its 182nd session (April 2008),

Taking into account the communication from the Prosecutor General's Office of 16 July 2008,

Recalling that Senator Córdoba was abducted and held by the paramilitary group Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia (AUC) between 21 May and 4 June 1999, and that a suspect has been identified, detained and heard in this case,

Recalling that an attempt was made on Ms. Córdoba's life in January 2003 and that the three persons arrested in that connection were all acquitted on 5 March 2005,

Considering that Ms. Córdoba is regularly threatened in connection with her vocal criticism of the Colombian Government and outspoken denunciation of human rights violations in Colombia, and enjoys a security detail,

Noting that, despite the Committee's many requests, no substantive information has been forthcoming from the source in this case,

1. Remains deeply concerned at the de facto impunity of those who have shown, in either word or deed, their intention to kill Senator Córdoba;

2. Stresses that her only effective protection ultimately combines an appropriate security detail with resolute and effective action to identify the culprits and bring them to trial;

3. Calls on the authorities, under their obligation to make a determined effort to hold perpetrators of human rights abuses to account, to pursue this matter with the utmost urgency and diligence; reaffirms in this respect that, through its oversight role, the Colombian Congress has a responsibility and is indeed provided with an opportunity to help ensure that such an effort is made at all times;

4. Considers that, although the concerns in this case are very serious, the prolonged silence of the source prevents it from examining the case effectively any further; 

5. Decides therefore to close its examination of the case, while reserving the right to reopen it should any information be forthcoming to warrant such action;

6. Requests the Secretary General to convey this resolution to the competent authorities and to the source.

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