CASE No - Inter-Parliamentary Union

CL/183/SR.1
ANNEX XIV
CASE No. CO/138 - GUSTAVO PETRO URREGO - COLOMBIA
Resolution adopted unanimously by the IPU Governing Council at its 183 rd session
(Geneva, 15 October 2008)
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 182 nd 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.