If Colombia does not successfully prosecute those who ordered the illegal wiretapping carried out by security agency DAS, the International Criminal Court should intervene, Liberal Party presidential candidate Rafael Pardo on said Monday.
Via a petition submitted to the Inspector General’s Office, Pardo – who was a victim of DAS’s illegal monitoring along with other opposition politicians, magistrates and journalists – said that he would be appealing for international intervention in the case, which he views as a “violation of privacy and human dignity.”
The politician said that although he maintained a lot of faith in the Colombian justice system, he would be forced to call for help by the International Court if those behind the wiretappings were not identified and punished.
“As a Colombian I believe and defend our institutions and especially our justice system. I believe in the ability of the Prosecutor General’s Office to reach the truth in this regrettable incident,” said Pardo.
He warned however, that “in the case of crimes that violate human rights, if the Colombian justice system allows impunity … the international justice system, as a substitute, will have to act.”
The presidential candidate spoke in reference to an ongoing investigation of the Colombian security agency for illegal wire-tapping and surveillance activity.