IPU Logo-top>>> VERSION FRANÇAISE  
 IPU Logo-middleInter-Parliamentary Union  
IPU Logo-bottomChemin du Pommier 5, C.P. 330, CH-1218 Le Grand-Saconnex/Geneva, Switzerland  

COLOMBIA
CASE N° CO/140 - WILSON BORJA

Resolution adopted unanimously by the IPU Governing Council at its 188th session
(Panama, 20 April 2011)

The Governing Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union,

Referring to the case of Mr. Wilson Borja, a former member of the Colombian Congress and a vocal critic of the Colombian Government, as outlined in the report of the Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians (CL/188/13(b)-R.1), and to the resolution adopted at its 187th session (October 2010),

Having before it the written report of the on-site mission which the Committee carried out to Colombia from 9 to 13 October 2010 (CL/188/13(b)R-2) and which addressesits long-standing concerns in this case with respect to the pursuit and administration of justice regarding the attempt made on Mr. Borja’s life in 2000, the recurrent reported deficiencies in his security detail, and the ongoing preliminary investigation of the Supreme Court into his alleged links to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC),

Considering the following information provided by Mr. Borja since the mission took place:

  • He wrote twice - but received no response - to the Minister of the Interior with respect to the possible release, owing to their potential inclusion as beneficiaries under the Justice and Peace Act, of three members of the armed forces who were convicted for their role in the attempt on Mr. Borja's life in 2000; he met with the Deputy Interior Minister to raise this matter, but was reportedly not given any further clarification on this point;

  • He has decided to discontinue the security arrangement put in place for him, as he considers that there is no real commitment from the authorities to protecting him; he points out in this respect that four accidents which could have been fatal to him and his family occurred as a result of defective vehicles, and that the costs for him of using those vehicles are very high;

  • The preliminary investigation which the Supreme Court initiated in 2008 in relation to accusations against him of illegal ties with FARC continues to be at a standstill,
  1. Thanks the Colombian authorities for hosting the mission and making the necessary arrangements to enable it to carry out its mandate;

  2. Commends the delegation for its work and fully endorses the findings and recommendations contained in the report;

  3. Is deeply concerned that the authorities have still not been able to provide Mr. Borja with an effective security arrangement; can but consider, in the light of the risks he continues to run as an outspoken critic in Colombia, that by not addressing his concerns diligently and swiftly the authorities are responsible for putting him at great and unnecessary risk; urges them to remedy this situation forthwith by ensuring, as is their duty, that a proper protection arrangement is put in place for Mr. Borja at all times; would appreciate receiving information on the steps taken to this end;

  4. Notes the report's observation that it is crucial that the Justice and Peace Act, which grants the demobilized paramilitaries certain benefits in exchange for their full cooperation, needs to be faithfully and properly applied when it comes to identifying those individuals who can benefit under it; trusts that the competent authorities, as was intimated during the on-site mission by the then acting Public Prosecutor, will ensure that the three military officers convicted for their participation in the attempt on Mr. Borja's life continue duly to serve their prison sentences; eagerly awaits confirmation of this point; also wishes to know whether the Prosecutor’s Office is now also fully investigating the alleged implication in the attempt on Mr. Borja's life, to which the report refers, of former paramilitary chief Mr. Salvatore Mancuso and former Assistant Director of the Administrative Department of Security (DAS), Mr. José Miguel Narváez;

  5. Remains deeply concerned that the criminal investigation into Mr. Borja continues to be at a standstill; recalls that, as a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and to the American Convention on Human Rights, the State of Colombia must guarantee the right to a fair trial, which comprises the right to be tried without undue delay; calls on the competent authorities, therefore, to deal with the case with the utmost urgency, either dismissing it or bringing it to trial forthwith, and wishes to receive their observations on this point; would appreciate receiving copies of any legal decisions taken with respect to the investigation in this case and of relevant legal provisions concerning applicable time limits;

  6. Requests the Secretary General to convey this resolution to the competent authorities and to Mr. Borja;

  7. Requests the Committee to continue examining this case and report to it at its next session, to be held on the occasion of the 125th IPU Assembly (October 2011).
Note: you can download a complete electronic version of the brochure "Results of the 124th IPU Assembly and related meetings" in PDF format (file size 672 Kb approximately). This version requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, which you can download free of charge.Get Acrobat Reader

HOME PAGEred cubeHUMAN RIGHTSred cubeMAIN AREAS OF ACTIVITYred cubeIPU STRUCTURE AND DOCUMENTS