The
British Government announced that it will continue support to Colombia
despite its concerns about human rights violations in the country.
U.K. Under-Secretary of State Alan Campbell told a press conference that the completion of British military aid to Colombia had nothing to do with current investigations into human rights abuses in the country.
According
to Campbell, the program was scheduled to end.
Colombian news sources had previously reported that the U.K. had suspended all aid to Colombia’s armed forces following the ‘false positives’ scandal , in which the Colombian military committed human rights abuses.
The British Minister said Britain was concerned over human rights violations in Colombia but would continue to provide support, with a new focus on the fight against impunity drug trafficking.
He said the U.K. had put aside a quarter of a million pounds to help Colombia “redefine policies in the fight against impunity”.
Regarding cooperation between British intelligence services and the Colombian DAS, which is under investigation for illegal wire tappings, Campbell said Britain is “watching closely” but is respectful of Colombian investigations.
Campbell also stressed that the flow of drugs from Colombia to Britain had reduced, mainly due to the seizures of shipments.
