Brussels, 29/05/2000 (Agence Europe) - On 23 May, the Portuguese Presidency released the following statement on behalf of the EU.
"The European Union expresses its deep concern at the deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation in Colombia, in particular the increasing number of inhuman acts of violence and atrocities affecting primarily the civilian population, such as those which occurred recently in Gigante and Chiquinquirá. The European Union strongly condemns the persistent grave violations and human rights abuses as well as acts of terrorism and breaches of international humanitarian law committed by all armed groups and emphasises the need to bring those responsible for human rights violations to justice. While supporting the current peace process in Colombia, the European Union urges all armed groups to end all acts of violence, to respect human rights, to comply with international humanitarian law and to engage in serious and constructive peace talks with the Government, with a view to achieving a sustainable peace in Colombia.
The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union, the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, and the EFTA countries Iceland and Liechtenstein, members of the European Economic Area align themselves with this declaration."