Irish politicians seek 'Colombia Three' verdict

A delegation of Irish politicians is in Colombia pressing for a verdict in the case of three Irishmen on terrorism charges.

Mr Niall Connolly, Mr James Monaghan and Mr Martin McCauley, dubbed the "Colombia Three" by the media, are accused of training the left-wing Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in IRA bomb-making techniques.

They are also charged with travelling on false passports. The men deny the charges.

Their trial ended six months ago, and they are being held in the notorious La Modelo prison, where they have spent most of the two-and-a-half years since their arrest in Bogota International Airport in August 2001. They were returning from a FARC-controlled demilitarised zone.

The political delegation includes Ms Catriona Ruane, a Sinn Féin MLA and member of the Bring them Home campaign; Sinn Féin TD Mr Sean Crowe; and Fianna Fáil's Mr Niall Andrews MEP and Senator Mary White.

They are meeting European Union ambassadors, senior representatives of the United Nations and the governor of the prison in an effort to secure an early verdict. They will also meet the Colombian vice-president Mr Francisco Santos.

Earlier this week, Mr Santos and the Ulster Unionist leader Mr David Trimble joined in attacking human rights groups working in the country.

Speaking at an international congress of terrorism victims in Madrid, Mr Trimble called human rights organisations a "great curse" and accused them of complicity in terrorist killings. "They justify terrorist acts and end up being complicit in the murder of innocent victims," he said.

Mr Santos said that human rights groups were hindering progress in peace efforts. "For human rights organisations to call FARC "armed opposition groups" undermines the struggle of those who have decided to side with democracy," Mr Santos said. "That is not right. It is unacceptable."

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch both reacted angrily to the comments, claiming human rights workers were routinely attacked and imprisoned in Colombia.

Ms Ruane today said  the remarks were "dangerous and reactionary" and would "give the green light to death squads all over the world to carry out their assassinations of some of the most remarkable and bravest people who have stood up against repressive regimes."