Over the past several weeks, two Congressional letters have been sent to Colombian President Alvaro Uribe concerning recent robberies of human rights organizations in Bogota.

The first letter (pdf), signed by Congressman Eliot Engel, chair of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and six other members of Congress, was sent on June 22nd. It highlighted the robbery of the offices of the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) in Bogota. The letter called for a prompt and thorough investigation of the break in.

"As strong supporters of Colombia's vibrant civil society," said the signers, "we are concerned about maintaining a safe environment for non-governmental organizations to flourish and strengthen Colombian democracy. We are gravely concerned by this recent attack on FOR and for the security of the Colombian groups that FOR accompanies."

The second letter (pdf), dated July 17, was signed by 36 members of Congress. This letter addressed the four attacks on human rights organizations in which computers containing highly sensitive information were stolen, including the FOR break in.

"These attacks...appear to be part of a pattern targeting information that could be used to harm individuals, organizations and churches working for peace, defending human rights and helping victims of the armed conflict," the letter stated.

The signers then called on Uribe's government to carry out a swift and thorough investigation, as well as to issue statements supporting the work of human rights organizations in Colombia.