PRESS RELEASE

No. 2/03

IACHR PROFOUNDLY DISMAYED BY ATTACK IN BOGOTÁ

          The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) expresses its profound dismay at the attack using explosives in the “El Nogal” club in downtown Bogotá on Friday, February 7, 2003, which killed more than 30 people and wounded many others.

          The IACHR has repeatedly pointed to the seriousness of the growing number of attacks on the civilian population in Colombia.  Such acts are flagrant violations of international humanitarian law and may entail the individual criminal liability of their perpetrators and accomplices at the international level.  The IACHR reiterates its repudiation of the acts of indiscriminate violence carried out by the various protagonists in the domestic armed conflict in order to terrorize the civilian population and trusts that the state will take all necessary measures to investigate the facts and to prosecute and punish those responsible.

Washington, D.C., February 10, 2003