That the Senate, recalling its resolution of 14 October 2003 relating to human rights in Colombia:

(a) notes again with regret the long and continuing history of violence directed towards human rights defenders in Colombia;

(b) reiterates its recognition of the important role performed by both local and international human rights organisations in Colombia and the positive contribution made by international observers including the United Nations Human Rights Commission, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Peace Brigades International, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch;

(c) expresses its concern that:

(i) rural communities, and in particular the Peace Community of San Jos de Apartad, as well as local human rights defenders, and international observers that accompany this community, such as Peace Brigades International and the International Fellowship of Reconciliation, have recently been subjected to increased intimidation in the Urab region of North-West Colombia, and

(ii) the safety of members of the above-mentioned community, their leaders, and the international human rights organisations present in the area, is at risk following recent adverse statements made by members of the Colombian Government, who have in the past equated human rights organisations with agents of terrorism;

(d) notes:

(i) that the Peace Community of San Jos de Apartad has been granted provisional precautionary measures by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, because of the high level of risk suffered by community members, which has claimed the lives of many within the community in recent years, and

(ii) that these provisional measures were also re-affirmed by the Constitutional Court of Colombia, which ordered that the safety of the community and the fundamental human rights of its people be guaranteed; and

(e) expresses its hope that the Colombian Government will guarantee the safety of the people of San Jos de Apartad, and of the international observers who accompany them.