International Trade committee  I just named a few that have been recognized by the Inter-American Court--participation by state forces, police, and military in massacres and extrajudicial killings. These cases are available in the rosters of the Inter-American Court or the Colombian government. I'm not talking about any other cases.

International Trade committee  Our organization is funded through our own fundraising and through grants from CIDA, for instance, or other organizations—but mainly through our own fundraising.

International Trade committee  I'm sorry, could you--

International Trade committee  Well, the last court cases were in 2007 and were based on facts dating back to the nineties. But of course court cases take a long time. What I'm saying is that for the facts happening now, you will read the court cases in 10 or 15 years. But there are still complaints and cases against the state before international authorities, the Inter-American Court system, and the Colombian courts for the same kinds of things.

International Trade committee  Well, everybody has hope that his or her situation will improve. I understand them for having hope, and we all hope it will produce results. Once again, we don't have any specific theoretical or philosophical case for or against free trade, but what we are saying is that it would commend Canada, when considering a free trade agreement with Colombia, to look at the situation of human rights and to do something about it before signing a deal.

International Trade committee  These are decisions of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and they are available. I could easily provide you with the references.

International Trade committee  The comments you made cover a lot of aspects. I will try to deal very briefly with a few of them. I see that the Chairman is watching the clock. Has the government lost control over the paramilitary? It is clear that the paramilitary today have a life of their own. These are independent groups.

International Trade committee  Thank you for the question. I believe it is true that some progress has been made in Colombia regarding the justice system. For instance, a new penal procedure was implemented lately, starting in 2004, but it has also entailed a lot of problems for litigation lawyers. That being said, there still remains a long way to go.

International Trade committee  I wouldn't say I have specific recommendations now, but of course an assessment has to be undertaken first. Look at our report. It contains 23 specific recommendations. Those are specific recommendations we would make to this committee. Those are things we would like to see improved in Colombia.

International Trade committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I am the executive director of Lawyers Without Borders, and I'm here with Denis L'Anglais, who is a member of the board of Lawyers Without Borders. Lawyers Without Borders is an organization that contributes to the defence and promotion of human rights, the fight against impunity, the holding of fair and impartial trials and the respect of the rule of law in various countries in crisis, developing countries or what we call fragile countries.