Topic: Rights of Accused
Country: Colombia
Delegate Name: Jason Higdon
School: Mattawan High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Colombia position papers GLIMUN 2015 committees
Despite trying circumstances, Colombia has done its best to treat any Colombian accused of a crime justly. The Colombian constitution itself assures that those accused of a crime in Colombia are to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. Colombia also guarantees anyone accused of a crime that they will be informed of the crimes they are being charged with and that they have the right to a fair and speedy trial. Colombia also does not support the use of torture in criminal investigations, protecting the rights of the accused in that aspect as well.
These rights of the accused are, in most circumstances, upheld in Colombia, however the nation has had some rather dark moments in its history, even recently, and there have been lapses in the rights afforded to individuals accused of crimes. There have been some instances of Colombian military forces executing suspected and accused guerrillas and terrorists without trial or with unjust trials, and Colombia and its leadership have done their best to remove any government officials or military leaders complicit in this failure to adhere to Colombian law on the rights of the accused.
In spite of this, Colombia would be in favor of supporting international legislation and guidelines on the rights that nations must provide to citizens accused of crime. However Colombia would be hesitant to establish penalties and intrusions on their sovereignty over any failures to protect the rights of the accused in case of any more isolated incidents involving the nations continued struggle against guerrillas, terrorists, and organized criminals.
As such, Colombia would support the HRC establishing baseline international rights of the accused though it could also be swayed to arguments involving exceptions to these rights in case of extenuating circumstance.
