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

UNCLASSIFIED
- 21 -
handling 112 cases from 2008, down from a peak of 397 cases from 2007, and as of May
15, 2009, 17 one case from 2009. Most international and non-governmental organizations
agree that numbers of extrajudicial killings have fallen substantially in 2009. However, it
is unclear whether this reduction is an indicator that directives, training and disciplinary
actions adopted by the Ministry of Defense are working. Some NGOs believe there may
simply be a lag in reporting of cases, and that 2009 cases will begin to be reported as the
year progresses.
In October 2008, specific allegations emerged that in January of that year members
of the Armed Forces had, in a concerted way, lured 13 victims away from their homes
with the promise of employment, killed them and then presented them as ―killed in
combat.‖ Known as the Soacha murders, this case is addressed in detail in the section
below entitled ―Investigations into and Cooperation on Soacha Murders.‖
UN Special Rapporteur’s Findings
In his initial findings, released June 18, 2009, the UN Special Rapporteur on
Extrajudicial Executions, Philip Alston, credited the Colombian government‘s efforts to
address extrajudicial killings. He noted that allegations of extrajudicial killings have
fallen sharply over the last six to nine months, and called for increased government
efforts to investigate past crimes. Alston rejected the assertion that cases of extrajudicial
killings were isolated incidents committed by a few ―bad apples,‖ but also said they did
not reflect Colombian government policy. Still, he called for the military to eliminate
―all forms‖ of incentives for combat kills and for prompt and thorough investigation into
the crimes.
Alston found that ―significant elements within the military‖ had engaged in
extrajudicial killings in a ―systematic way.‖ In these cases, similar to the Soacha
murders, victims are lured to a distant location, generally under the pretext of an
employment opportunity, murdered, and then reported as killed in combat. He cited
cases in the departments of Antioquia, Arauca, Valle de Cauca, Casanare, Cesar,
Cordoba, Huila, Meta, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Santander, Sucre, and Vichada.
Emphasizing the importance of investigating and prosecuting those responsible for
extrajudicial killings, he urged Colombian authorities to choose a credible, independent
figure to replace outgoing Prosecutor General Iguaran.
Alston applauded government efforts to confront extrajudicial killings, citing
disciplinary sanctions, the Suarez Commission‘s investigation into the Soacha murders,
and policy reforms aimed at eliminating the use of ―body count‖ as a measure for
17 Time frame available as of July 31, 2009.
UNCLASSIFIED