memorandum of justification concerning human ... - Just the Facts

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Accomplishments by the Judicial Police (responds to measure 14)
Since 2006, communication channels between the Prosecutor General‘s Office and
the Technical Investigative Body (CTI) have been strengthened through inter-institutional
agreements. To improve this relationship and to decrease impunity, that same year the
Ministry of Defense implemented Specialized Judicial Support Structures (EDAs) to
bolster the work of the specialized justice structures in zones with public order problems.
Equipped with specialized prosecutors, investigators, and judges, EDAs help to ensure
that members of illegal organizations are swiftly brought to justice, guarantee the
transparency and legitimacy of operations, and allow effective and legal collection of
evidence. As of May 2009, five EDAs were dedicated to combating hydrocarbon theft,
terrorism, and related crimes in Barrancabermeja, Puerto Berrío, Cali, Orito, and Arauca.
The Ministry of Defense has received support from the Prosecutor General‘s
Office and CTI in training members of the Armed Forces in first respondent procedures
and activities that should be carried out by the judicial police. CTI designed a first
responder‘s packet, which is being included in the Operational Law Handbook that is
pending approval.
Per Agreement 025 of 2007, there were – as of May 2009 – 52 investigations
undertaken by the CTI as liaisons in military units. The protection offered to them by the
Armed Forces enables them to carry out their investigations in isolated locations
throughout the country.
Certification in Human Rights (responds to measure 13)
Since 1997, the Ministry of Defense has employed a system of certification in
human rights and international humanitarian law for overseas commissions, eligibility for
training, and to determine eligibility for financial support from the United States for
educational purposes. In 2009, the Ministry of Defense revamped this certification
program to include it as a requirement for officers seeking promotion to Lieutenant
Colonel or Brigadier General. Each such candidate will have five days to study for and
complete the certification. If the applicant passes, the certification is issued pending
verification by the Prosecutor General‘s Office and the Inspector General‘s Office that
there are no criminal or disciplinary investigations pending against the individual. As of
May 2009, there were 230 aspirants in the Armed Forces who participated in the
certification process, which was given in June, and will be given again in December.
Complaint Reception System (responds to measure 15)
Throughout the certification period, the Armed Forces continued to implement
Directive 025, issued November 14, 2008, which created a national-level human rights
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