Wisconsin Senator Russell Feingold
Writes to Madeline Albright
regarding Human Rights in Colombia

April 5, 1997
The Honorable Madeline Albright
Secretary
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20010

Dear Madam Secretary:

I am writing to express my concern that U.S. efforts to counter the Colombia narcotics industry are being subverted into counterinsurgency miitary operations which continue to perpetrate a vast number of human rights abuses. It is my understanding that the United States continues to supply military aid despite continued human rights abuses and the lack of prosecution of military officers found responsible for massacre, disappearances, and torture and other human rights abuses.

The Colombia Support Network (CSN), an organization heqdquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, and with close ties to human rights groups in Colombia has recently brought to my attention two cases of human rights abuse in the region of Uraba:

1. According to CSN, paramilitary groups, with the assistance of the Colombian military, have forced the residents of more than 15 villages in the Bajo Atrato area to abandon their homes. CSN also states that several of those villages -- Salaqui, Tamboral, Perquerre and others -- were bombed in order to force the villagers to flee. The displaced villagers, over 500 families, are now seeking shelter in the area.

2. CSN also alleges that paramilitary and Colombian military forces together have performed unlawful search and seizure of citizens and have abducted and killed at least three citizens of the Apartado area. These citizens, Don Ruben, Antonio Villa and Don Miguel Haya were apparently buried by the side of the road without investigation.

I am concerned that the Colombian military is not taking any action to stop these and other human rights violations. I am interested in ensuring that prior to the delivery of U.S. military aid to Colombia, the United States government require the Colombian government to investigate and prosecute those responsible for human rights violations. Further requests for military aid should not be authorized until reasonable and detailed assurances are provided that U.S. military aid will not end up in the hands of units of the Colombian paramilitary forces that have been implicated in human rights violations.

I would appreciate any information you may have on this matter.

Sincerely,
Russell D. Feingold
United States Sentate
Washington, DC 20510-4904
Member of Foreign Relations Committee and Judiciary Committee