June 5, 1998 No. 149

AXWORTHY CONDEMNS MASSACRE IN COLOMBIA

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today condemned the massacre of 25 civilians by paramilitary forces in Colombia and expressed his serious concerns about the overall human rights situation in that country.

"We are shocked by this tragic event, and we call on the Government of Colombia to investigate these assassinations thoroughly," said Mr. Axworthy. "We have already conveyed our deep concern to the Colombian officials through our embassy in Bogota."

The victims are civilians who were kidnapped three weeks ago in Barrancabermeja, site of Colombia's largest oil refinery. The massacre is one of the worst in recent months by the paramilitaries, who have targeted leftist guerrillas as well as civilians whom they consider to be sympathizers. This incident follows another brutal massacre May 5 of 21 civilians in the town of Puerto Alvira, apparently by paramilitary forces.

There have also been a number of assassinations of prominent Colombian human rights defenders including: the April 18 murder of Dr. Eduardo Umaña Mendoza, a distinguished jurist; the April 13 murder of María Arango, a former political activist; the February 27 murder of Jesús María Valle, the leading human rights advocate in the Department of Antioquia; and the May 1997 murders of Mario Calderón and Elsa Alvarado, members of the Center for Popular Investigation and Education (CINEP), a prominent human rights organization.

"Canada strongly supports the work of Colombians who are defending human rights and trying to build a more peaceful society," added the Minister.

Secretary of State (Latin American and Africa) David Kilgour also condemned the massacre. "When I visited Colombia in late April, I transmitted our serious concerns regarding human rights abuses," said Mr. Kilgour. "These killings are senseless and will only undermine efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the violence in that country."

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