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, and to the resolution adopted at its 189th session (October 2011),

Noting that its long-standing concerns in this case with respect to the recurrent reported deficiencies in Mr. Borja’s security detail and the preliminary investigation initiated by the Supreme Court in June 2008 into his alleged links to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) have been resolved,

Recalling that it remains concerned about the possible release of three military officers who were sentenced to prison sentences of up to 55 years for their responsibility in the attempt on Mr. Borja’s life in 2000 and who have opted to benefit under the Justice and Peace Act as demobilized paramilitaries; considering that it is for the judicial authorities to determine whether the officers concerned meet the requirements of the Justice and Peace Act, and that Mr. Borja has stated that his lawyer will argue that they do not qualify as beneficiaries under the Act,

Recalling also that the former head of the United Self-Defence Forces of Colombia (AUC), Mr. Salvatore Mancuso, detained in the United States, has reportedly admitted to instigating the attack on Mr. Borja’s life and has accused the former Assistant Director of the Administrative Department of Security (DAS), Mr. José Miguel Narváez, at present detained on several charges, of having played a decisive role in it by linking Mr. Borja to the FARC and inciting paramilitary groups to eliminate him,

1. Trusts that the judicial authorities will ensure that the three military officers convicted for their participation in the attempt on Mr. Borja’s life continue to serve their sentences; wishes to be informed of any decision adopted in this respect; also trusts that the Prosecutor’s Office has launched a full investigation into the alleged implication in the attempt on Mr. Borja’s life of the former head of the AUC and the former DAS Assistant Director; would appreciate receiving updated information on both matters;

2. Considers that, in the light of the developments in the case, its public examination is no longer warranted;

3. Requests the Committee, therefore, to continue examining the case under its confidential procedure;

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

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