Visit our website: HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK --------------------------------------------- . . [Via Communist Internet... http://www.egroups.com/group/Communist-Internet ] ----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2001 5:32 AM Subject: Colombian Army's Sweeping Powers. From: "mart" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ----- Original Message ----- From: John Clancy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2001 9:56 AM Subject: Rozoff: Colombian Army's Sweeping Powers. 3 IRA Men Subject: Rights Groups Alarmed As Colombian Army Given Sweeping Powers Aug. 16, 08:28 EDT Colombian army given sweeping powers New legislation alarms human- rights groups BOGOTA (AP) ó Brushing aside human-rights concerns, Colombian President Andres Pastrana signed war legislation granting the U.S.-backed military expanded powers to battle guerrillas, his office announced Thursday. UN rights monitors, human-rights groups and some members of the U.S. Congress have criticized the measure, fearing it will lead to abuses in Colombia's 37-year civil war. The law, which Pastrana signed without fanfare Monday, is expected to be challenged by opponents in Colombia's Constitutional Court and could affect deliberations on future U.S. military aid to the South American country. One of the law's most criticized articles allows the president to set up martial-law zones called "theatres of operations," in which local civilian officials would be subordinate to regional police and military commanders. The law also allows soldiers to detain suspects longer before handing them over to a judge. Amnesty International, in a statement from New York City, said: ``There is serious concern that these provisions could facilitate torture or other forms of human-rights violations of those captured during counter-insurgency operations." The law also shortens the time allowed for completing investigations into alleged human-rights abuses by security force members and requires civilian prosecutors to report to the military on their investigations into terrorism and war crimes including torture. A leading Colombian human-rights activist said the measure would militarize the country. "There will be arrests without warrants, interrogations of civilians on military bases and impunity for soldiers and police who have violated human rights," predicted Gustavo Gallon, director of the Colombian Jurists' Commission. Pastrana has not spoken publicly on his decision to sign the National Defence and Security Law, which Colombia's congress approved in June. But one of the law's authors said Colombia needs tougher legislation given the country's serious crisis. "The Colombian people are cornered by violence," Senator German Vargas said. "We need instruments to defend ourselves." The military, which pushed hard for the legislation, said Colombia's laws have hamstrung its ability to fight guerrillas. Generals complain top officers are tied up in lengthy human-rights investigations and the military often must free guerrilla suspects because they are captured in remote areas where there are no judicial authorities. Pastrana faces conflicting pressure to give the military greater rein in the war, while also curbing its human-rights abuses ó the latter a condition for receiving military aid from Washington. Elected on a peace platform three year ago, one of the president's legacies may be helping the military gird for war. In addition to tougher legislation, Pastrana's tenure has brought the armed forces dozens more combat helicopters, high-technology intelligence aids and is more than doubling the number of professional troops. UN rights monitors last month objected to seven of the law's 69 provisions, saying they are either unconstitutional or violate international human-rights treaties. Democrats in the U.S. Congress also raised concerns last month during hearings about future aid to Colombia. They spoke of possible aid cutbacks and called for U.S. State Department monitoring of the law's implementation. Washington is providing $1.3 billion in mostly military aid to Colombia. ***** _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. 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