While the United Kingdom has concentrated most of its foreign
policy efforts in Colombia on countering the country’s drug trade, London announced
it will distribute more funds towards projects to combat impunity in the next
financial year.
In a statement recently published to the House of Commons
Foreign Secretary David Miliband said, “Too many people in Colombia commit
crimes without fear of justice or punishment, and our work will aim to help the
Colombian criminal justice system develop its ability to tackle impunity.”
Yet the £250,000 (893 million COP) being allocated to bring wrongdoers
to justice seems a bit meager compared to the £900,000 (3.2 billion COP) being provided
to the UN Office of Drugs and Crime in Bogota to thwart drug trafficking
networks in Colombia.
In addition to dealing with issues of impunity and the drug trade,
Miliband’s report stressed the importance of continuing to strengthen human
rights. James Dauris of the British
Embassy in Colombia said that it has achieved its objectives from such human
rights projects as its Comprehensive Human Rights Policy and will therefore be
implementing more specific programs that focus on protecting unions, training
journalists, and fighting AIDS and poverty.
