One day before Colombia’s former President Alvaro Uribe speaks in front of the congressional commission that is investigating his possible involvement in the DAS wiretap scandal, human rights organizations doubted the legitimacy of the process.
Director of Human Rights Watch Jose Miguel Vivanco said in a report from Caracol Radio that, “This is not a judicial function, it’s under political control and the political tendencies are going to direct the result of the investigation.”
The three person congressional commission in charge of investigating the former head of state has been the topic of controversy after three House members resigned; one because of his personal friendship with Uribe, one after Uribe accused him of bias and the latest because of threats he received.
The International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) asked Colombian authorities to guarantee the independence of the preliminary investigation opened against Uribe.
“While the FIDH welcomes the advance towards the investigation of those most responsible for the illegal activities of DAS, we also express worry for the irregularities in the access of the victims as civil parties in this process,” said the organization in a statement obtained by Caracol Radio.
The federation also said that “serious doubts with respect to independence” were caused after Cambio Radical Representative Camilo Andres Abril resigned May 25 because of a threat he received telling him “not to mess with Uribe.”
Thursday former President Uribe will speak in front of the congressional commission, an act that will be televised according to Caracol Radio.
