UN tells Colombia to ‘not shoot the messenger’ and investigate military killings

UN tells Colombia to ‘not shoot the messenger’ and investigate military killings
Posted by Emma Rosser on Jun 26, 2015

The United Nations expressed its support for Human Rights Watch on Thursday, calling on the Colombian government “not to shoot the messenger” denouncing impunity in the military killings of thousands of civilians.

UN representative Fabrizio Hochschild spoke to Blu Radio, highlighting the reputation of the NGO and claiming that the cases in discussion deserve more research and reflection in Colombia.

. . .

Colombia’s President Santos initially rejected the report, publicly bashing it at in a speech at a military battalion on Wednesday. “Don’t you come and tarnish this institution,” Santos said promising to defend the “legitimacy” and “reputation” of Armed Forces commander General Juan Pablo Rodriguez and National Army commander Jaime Lasprilla.

He then — away from the cameras — met with the HRW Americas director Jose Miguel Vivanco who said Santos was being “very receptive” when given more details about the report.

More:
http://colombiareports.com/un-tells-colombia-to-not-shoot-the-messenger-and-investigate-military-killings/