The Governing Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union,

Referring to the case of Mr. Gustavo Petro Urrego, a member of the Colombian Senate 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 Mr. Petro has constantly received death threats and that, with respect to one such threat, the Commander of the Bloque Tolima of the Autodefensas Unidades de Colombia (AUC), a paramilitary group disbanded on 22 October 2005, was identified as a suspect and heard in court on 22 January and 12 February 2007; the investigation has been at the preliminary stage since 2004 and the prosecuting authorities have requested further evidence-taking,

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

1. Remains deeply concerned that, with possibly one exception, those behind the numerous death threats against Mr. Petro have enjoyed de facto impunity;

2. Stresses that ultimately his only effective protection 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 further examining the case effectively;

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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