[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 158 (Thursday, August 19, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 46749]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-17755]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 11503]


Certification Related to Foreign Military Financing for Colombia 
Under Regulations of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and 
Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2021

    Pursuant to the authority vested in the Secretary of State, 
including under section 7045(b)(2)(B) of the Department of State, 
Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2021 (Div. 
K, Pub. L. 116-260), I hereby certify that:
    (i) The Special Jurisdiction for Peace and other judicial 
authorities are taking effective steps to hold accountable perpetrators 
of gross violations of human rights in a manner consistent with 
international law, including for command responsibility, and sentence 
them to deprivation of liberty;
    (ii) the Government of Colombia is taking effective steps to 
prevent attacks against human rights defenders and other civil society 
activists, trade unionists, and journalists, and judicial authorities 
are prosecuting those responsible for such attacks;
    (iii) the Government of Colombia is taking effective steps to 
protect Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities and is respecting 
their rights and territory;
    (iv) senior military officers responsible for ordering, committing, 
and covering up cases of false positives are being held accountable, 
including removal from active duty if found guilty through criminal or 
disciplinary proceedings; and
    (v) the Government of Colombia has investigated and is taking steps 
to hold accountable Government officials credibly alleged to have 
directed, authorized, or conducted illegal surveillance of political 
opponents, government officials, journalists, and human rights 
defenders, including through the use of assets provided by the United 
States for combating counterterrorism and counternarcotics for such 
purposes.
    This Certification shall be published in the Federal Register and 
shall be transmitted, along with the accompanying Memorandum of 
Justification, to Congress.

    Dated: July 29, 2021.
Antony J. Blinken,
Secretary of State.
[FR Doc. 2021-17755 Filed 8-18-21; 8:45 am]
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