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PRESS
RELEASE No.
40/02 IACHR
CONCERNED OVER THE SITUATION OF COMUNA 13 IN THE
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) expresses its
concern over the events which, from the early morning hours of October 16,
2002, have unfolded in neighborhoods of Comuna 13 in the west-central area
of the city of Medellín, in the Republic of Colombia, in the context of
confrontations during operations by the official forces against armed groups
in this area.
The information known to the public at large indicates that as a
result of the cross-fire during implementation of the operation, members of
the civilian population have been wounded or killed.
In view of the situation, the IACHR reiterates the obligation of the
parties to the conflict to respect the norms of international humanitarian
law, in particular the principles that distinguish between combatants and
non-combatants, and concerning proportionality in the use of force. The State must abide by its obligation to protect the
civilian population and at the time the authorities of the judiciary and the
oversight organs must carry out their mandate to investigate, prosecute, and
punish violations of these norms and principles. |
