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The Colombian government should ensure that all candidates to replace the departing public advocate have impeccable human rights records, Human Rights Watch said today. Eduardo Cifuentes Muñoz announced Monday that he is stepping down before the end of his 4-year term.

"Eduardo Cifuentes is a respected jurist and committed defender of human rights who has sharply criticized the government and illegal armed groups when they commit grave violations," said José Miguel Vivanco, Executive Director of the Americas Division of Human Rights Watch. "His replacement must combine the same qualities of independence and probity if this institution is to retain its critical role in bringing to light serious abuses."

Mr. Cifuentes announced on July 21 that he would be leaving the Public Advocate's Office (Defensoría del Pueblo) to direct the human rights office of the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). He had been a frequent critic of President Álvaro Uribe policies, including the suspension of basic rights in "rehabilitation zones" in the departments of Arauca and Bolívar, and efforts to cut funds for public defenders to protect the poor.

Mr. Cifuentes has also called on President Uribe to withdraw Colombia's objection to allowing the International Criminal Court to consider cases involving war crimes in Colombia. More recently, Mr. Cifuentes raised concerns that the Uribe government's negotiations with paramilitary groups may allow individuals who have committed crimes against humanity to escape justice.

President Uribe must now choose a slate of three candidates for Public Advocate, from which the Colombian Congress will make a final selection.

Human Rights Watch said all candidates should possess the following qualifications:

  • A solid background in human rights, including direct, practical experience of human rights monitoring and field operations;
  • The personal integrity, standing, and capacity necessary to demonstrate moral leadership, and the strength of purpose and willingness to confront gross human rights abusers publicly when necessary; and
  • An established reputation in Colombia as a leader of stature, commensurate with the importance of human rights issues in the country.

Human Rights Watch said President Uribe should consider candidates who would see the post of Public Advocate as the pinnacle of their career, not as a stepping-stone to a higher post. Candidates with further ambitions might be tempted to avoid offending the government, Human Rights Watch said.

"The burden is now on President Uribe to show a commitment to human rights by selecting candidates who would carry on the tradition of the Public Advocate as the first defender of the Colombian people," said Vivanco.

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