Knappast. Colombias armé är däremot världsledande i att kränka sina egna medborgares mänskliga rättigheter på alla vis. En överblick över de massakrer, mord och annat som rapporterats i media de senaste åren kan du läsa i denna rapport, sammanställd av Colombia Support Network (CSN).  Att colombias armé tvärtom är en förbild på området vill Colombias regering ge sken av när man nyligen meddelade att en löjtnant i landets armé fått medalj för sitt arbete som lärare i mänskliga rättigheter på Western Hemisphere Institute of Cooperation and Security ( WHINSEC ), belägen i Fort Benning, Georgia, USA.

Engelsk översättning av pressmeddelandet gjord av CSN:

"The Colombian military institution received this recognition for the commitment and work carried forward on the subject of Human Rights by the Colombian Army, which stands out for being the only army in the world with a command in Human Rights and with offices in this branch division, brigades and battalions.

Bogotá, November 6. The representation of Lieutenant Colonel Javier Alberto Ayala- Amaya as instructor in Human Rights in the Western Hemisphere Institute of Cooperation and Security ( WHINSEC ), located at Fort Benning in Georgia, permitted Colombia to be decorated and recognized as a leader on the subject of training in human rights.

The official was awarded the medal of Commander of the Army of the United States for his meritorious service and exceptional professionalism as an instructor in this subject. The medal was conferred upon him by the Commander of the Army of the United States, General Martin E. Dempsey.

For 15 months this high official presented the best institutional image in sharing experiences with armies from 37 countries. During this time more than one thousand students per year learned about the integral policy in Human Rights which Colombia has implemented.

In the WHINSEC the Colombian Army stood out for being the only one in the world with a command position in Human Rights and with offices on this topic in divisions, brigades and battalions.

Likewise, the rules of behaviour in combat and confrontation established by the Force reflect the experience of the troops in operational law, a situation which places the institution (the Colombian Army) as the hemispheric leader in programs of training.

Lieutenant Colonel Ayala forms part of a broad group of officials, lower ranking personnel and civilians who have been trained and have taught in Human Rights in other countries. The knowledge and academic experience acquired by these members of the [Colombian ] Army have also been placed at the service of the military institution."

På spanska:

http://web.presidencia.gov.co/sp/2009/noviembre/06/08062009.html

Fredrik Jansson