www.china.org.cn
November 22, 2002



UN Urges Colombian Rebels Not to Target Civilians

United Nation human rights representative for Colombia Anders Kompass on Monday urged the rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) not to target civilians in attacks.

Anders Kompass made the statement while visiting the northern Colombian village of Bojaya, which was hit last week by a FARC homemade missile, killing at least 119 civilians.

The representative, who was heading a humanitarian commission to investigate the tragic event, said exploding a bomb in a civilian area violated international humanitarian laws and was a violation of human rights.

Kompass also said the guerrillas were still there, in addition to the presence of Colombian law-enforcement agents, creating a lot of confusion among civilians.

According to reports reaching here, FARC said it was aiming at far-right paramilitary outlaws in the village, which is cut off bya thick jungle near Colombia's Pacific border with Panama.

The homemade missile hit a church where hundreds of civilians had taken refuge.

Police said Monday that at least 43 people were killed in different acts of violence reported this past weekend.

(Xinhua News Agency May 14, 2002)

In This Series
Colombian Rebels Kidnap 12 Provincial Lawmakers

A Car Bombing Kills 12 in Colombia

Colombian Army to Help Kidnapped Presidential Candidate

Colombia Rebels Kidnap Presidential Candidate

References

Archive

Web Link


Copyright © 2001 China Internet Information Center. All Rights Reserved
E-mail: webmaster@china.org.cn Tel: 86-10-68326688