Colombian Judicial
Ruling "Controversial"
BOGOTA - Presidential nominee for Polo
Democratico Alternativo Gustavo Petro said
on Monday that Colombian justice made a
mistake by trying for murder 17 soldiers
involved in extrajudicial executions, when
it is a crime against humanity.
"Once it is proven that Colombian justice
does not want or cannot start to process
those cases, then comes complementary
justice," he warned, referring to
International Criminal Court (ICC).
In this way Petro hinted that such a
circumstance might allow the possibility
that the ICC may intervene in the case,
which sparked an avalanche of criticism
against the Colombian legal system.
He added that systematic death of hundreds
of youngsters by officials of the Army of
Colombia is "undoubtedly a crime against
humanity" and therefore the high
international court may have competence in
this case.
Meanwhile, in line with Petro's remarks,
families of the victims of extrajudicial
executions in Colombia announced that they
will turn to the ICC to prevent those crimes
from remaining unpunished in the wake of the
ruling made by national justice.
Last Thursday, Colombian justice released
three non-commissioned officers and 14
professional soldiers accused of the
disappearance and later killing of several
youngsters in 2008 that were presented by
the uniformed men as guerrillas dead in
combat.
The ruling sparked strong criticism and
rejection in the country and abroad, as it
is seen by many as "an impunity show."
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
