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Parliamentary question - E-009627/2015Parliamentary question
E-009627/2015

VP/HR — Killing of trade unionists in Colombia

Question for written answer E-009627-15
to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)
Rule 130
Lola Sánchez Caldentey (GUE/NGL)

We are gravely concerned about the worsening situation faced by human rights activists in Colombia. For instance, three trade union leaders belonging to the National Movement of Victims of State Crimes (MOVICE) have been assassinated there since April of this year.

The European Union maintains close economic ties with Colombia, especially since August 2013 when the EU-Colombia association agreement came into force. This agreement includes provisions on human rights, which the Government of Colombia systematically violates.

1. What measures will the European Union adopt to urge Colombia to carry out an immediate, independent, impartial and exhaustive investigation into the assassinations of the MOVICE trade union leaders so as to identify the culprits, bring them before a competent, independent, fair and impartial court, and apply to them the criminal penalties laid down by law?

2. What measures will the European Union adopt to urge Colombia to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 9 December 1998?