PRESS RELEASE

N° 12/02

IACHR HAILS COLOMBIA’S RATIFICATION OF THE INTER-AMERICAN
CONVENTION ON FORCED DISAPPEARANCE OF PERSONS

The IACHR hails the ratification by the Republic of Colombia of the Inter-American Convention on Forced Disappearance of Persons. Ratification of human rights instruments is an essential step toward protection of the Hemisphere’s inhabitants.

In this regard, the IACHR acknowledges and welcomes Colombia’s ratification today, which represents a major step toward universalization of the inter-American system and provides the country with a new instrument for prosecuting and punishing perpetrators of human rights violations, in particular forced disappearance of persons.

Washington, D.C., April 12, 2005