U.S. Congressman James McGovern (D-MA) wants to suspend aid to
Colombia’s Prosecutor General’s Office, because he says it conducting baseless investigations of human rights organizations.
The Democrat took part in a hearing following the report of Human Rights First, that said human rights workers “are singled out for particular intimidation through baseless
investigations and prosecutions. Unfounded charges are often widely
publicized, undermining the credibility of defenders and marking them
as targets for physical attack, often by paramilitary groups.”
According to McGovern, the accusations made by the human rights group “are very serious. We are very worried and will take a look at this issue.”
The Prosecutor General’s Office now receives US$70 million a year.