U.S. Rep. Miller Asks Colombia for Information about Removal of Judge from Panel Handling Cases of Killings of Union Members
In FTA Debate, Congress Should Consider Colombia’s Efforts to Fight Violence against Trade Unionists, says Miller

Monday, January 28, 2008

WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA) has asked Colombian President Álvaro Uribe Vélez for information about the unexplained removal of a Colombian judge from a three-judge panel tasked with handling the backlog of criminal cases stemming from the thousands of assassinations of the country’s labor union leaders and members.

Miller also asked for information about a decision to temporarily suspend all three of the judges in December 2007, which forced the judges to cancel hearings in high profile cases that had been scheduled for this month.

Miller, who traveled to Colombia earlier this month to meet with the judges, trade unionists, workers, and government officials, said the information he is requesting would be vital in determining whether or not the United States should enter into a free trade agreement with Colombia. He said it is critical that Colombia’s judicial process for addressing the killings of labor union leaders must be effective and sustainable, given the extensive history and institutional nature of killings of labor leaders in Colombia. 

“If these prosecutions and adjudications are not effective and sustainable, then impunity will continue – and that is unacceptable,” said Miller, chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee.

“As the U.S. Congress debates the proposed trade agreement with Colombia, it is essential that we consider whether Colombia is doing everything it can to protect workers’ rights and basic human rights,” said Miller. “A trade agreement will not help workers in either country if the basic rights of workers and union members in Colombia are not respected.

“I am concerned about the decision to remove this highly respected judge and to temporarily suspend the entire panel,” said Miller. “At a minimum, these actions could have the effect of slowing the panel’s work in tackling what is already a staggering backlog of cases.”

Miller requested the information from President Uribe in a letter sent on Friday. Specifically, Miller asked for information about:

• the unexplained decision to remove Judge José Nirio Sánchez, whom attorneys told Miller had done “excellent work,” from his position on the panel just days after Miller met with him during his trip;

• the decision to temporarily suspend the judicial positions in December 2007, and what effect that suspension had on the cases before the panel; and

• the decision to allow the positions to expire once again in July 2008, despite a concern that the backlog of cases will take years, not months, to resolve.

“My colleagues in the United States Congress and I are particularly concerned as to whether or not the Colombian government has created a sustainable process for finally ending the impunity enjoyed by those who have killed or harassed labor leaders in Colombia,” Miller wrote to President Uribe.

Miller wrote that he would consider supporting additional U.S. funding for Colombia’s judicial system. “However, I believe Colombia must first do more to ensure that its judicial system functions in the strongest possible manner and avoids even the appearance of impropriety in the handling of these important cases,” Miller wrote.

To see a copy of Miller’s letter to President Uribe, click here.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tom Kiley / Rachel Racusen
2181 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-226-0853