[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 28, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 66712]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-23426]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 9741]


Certification Related to Foreign Military Financing for Colombia 
Under Section 7045(b)(2) of The Department of State, Foreign 
Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2016 (Div. K, Pub. 
L. 114-113)

    Pursuant to the authority vested in the Secretary of State, 
including under section 7045(b)(2) of the Department of State, Foreign 
Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2016 (Div. K, Pub. 
L. 114-113) and Department of State Delegation of Authority 245-1, I 
hereby certify and report that:
    (1) Cases involving members of the Colombian military who have been 
credibly alleged to have violated human rights, including those in 
positions with command authority who ordered or covered up such crimes, 
are subject only to civilian jurisdiction, the Colombian military is 
cooperating with civilian authorities in such cases, and military 
officers credibly alleged to have committed gross violations of human 
rights are removed from positions with command authority until the 
completion of judicial proceedings and appropriately punished if 
convicted;
    (2) the Government of Colombia is upholding its international 
obligations by holding accountable persons responsible for crimes 
against humanity, war crimes, and other gross violations of human 
rights, and is not offering amnesty to such persons; and
    (3) the Government of Colombia is continuing to dismantle illegal 
armed groups, taking effective steps to protect the rights of human 
rights defenders, journalists, trade unionists, and other social 
activists, and respecting the rights and territory of indigenous and 
Afro-Colombian communities.
    This Certification shall be published in the Federal Register and, 
along with the accompanying Report and Memorandum of Justification, 
shall be transmitted to the appropriate committees of Congress.

John F. Kerry,
Secretary of State.
[FR Doc. 2016-23426 Filed 9-27-16; 8:45 am]
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