Colombia to be sanctioned for 1984 Palace of Justice massacre

Colombia to be sanctioned for 1984 Palace of Justice massacre
posted by Peter Bolton
Oct 18, 2013

Colombia is in line to be convicted and sanctioned by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (CIDR) for its actions during the 1984 Palace of Justice siege, according to the director of the National State Defense.

Adriana Guillen, who has been head of the National State Defense since last September, announced on Thursday that state representatives will appear before the Court of Human Rights to present their arguments and supporting evidence. These final proceedings will take place in the Brazilian capital Brasilia in November.

The case involves the killing of 100 people, including numerous Supreme Court magistrates, when the Colombian military launched a counter-attack against the raid and take-over of the building – housing the head of Colombia’s judicial branch – by the M-19 urban guerrilla group.

CIDR is basing its case on the premise that the state was disproportionate in its use of force against the siege and that it overreached the limits of legitimate response.

More: http://colombiareports.co/inter-american-commission-human-rights-sanction-colombia-palace-justice-massacre/#sthash.cqqW78yD.dpuf