Human rights organization Amnesty International turned against
Colombian President Álvaro Uribe’s intention to pardon all guerrillas who
surrender hostages, whether they have committed human rights violations
or not.
According to Amnesty, “all those reasonably suspected of having committed serious human rights
abuses and violations of IHL must be brought to justice in legal
proceedings that meet international standards on fair trials.”
Uribe sees the pardon for the crimes of a guerrilla as a “humanitarian exchange” for the release of his hostage, but Amnesty opposes giving amnesty to suspects who haven’t appeared before justice first.
“Amnesty International opposes amnesties, pardons or similar measures
for such crimes which would prevent the emergence of the truth, a final
judicial determination of guilt or innocence and full reparation for
victims and their families,” the human rights organization says in a press statement that was released Thursday.
The announcement of Uribe Wednesday also was challenged by Colombia’s Prosecutor General, who said he will not cooperate with the amnesty of anyone who’s suspected of having committed crimes against humanity.