(New York, February 8, 2003)
The people responsible for planning and carrying out car bombings that
deliberately target civilians must be brought to justice, Human Rights
Watch said. In Colombia, a car bomb that was detonated in the parking
area of a social club in the capital on February 7 killed at least 25
and wounded more than 120.
"The use of these tactics
merits the condemnation of the world. They may even merit the attention
of the International Criminal Court."
José Miguel Vivanco
Executive Director
Americas Division
Human Rights Watch
|
|
Authorities reported that
attackers detonated a 200-kilo car bomb at 8 p.m., as members and
guests at the El Nogal social club celebrated a wedding and a
children's party, and others dined or exercised in the facility's gym.
According to reports, several of the dead were passersby on Carrera
Séptima, the busy artery in front of the building. No one claimed
responsibility for the attack. "The use of these
tactics merits the condemnation of the world," said José Miguel
Vivanco, executive director of the Americas Division of Human Rights
Watch. "They may even merit the attention of the International Criminal Court, which has jurisdiction to investigate and punish crimes against humanity committed in Colombia."
Vivanco called on
the Colombian authorities to investigate the attack fully and ensure
that those responsible are brought to justice. In addition, he
expressed the group's condolences to the victims of the attack and the
family members of the dead.
|
