UN calls for reclassification of many of Colombia's unidentified dead

[Judi Lynn]

UN calls for reclassification of many of Colombia's unidentified dead
Friday, 27 May 2011 08:10
Marguerite Cawley

United Nations representative Christian Salazar called on Colombia to investigate cases of unidentified persons killed in combat, who he claimed should be reclassified, Caracol Radio reported Friday.

Salazar commended the Defense Ministry's recent identification of nearly 10,000 cadavers buried under the classification "NN," or unidentified, in mass graves in Colombia, and made a series of recommendations, particularly regarding the cases of those classified as "NN muertos en combate" (unidentified killed in combat), who he said were often the result of extrajudicial or "false positive" killings.

"We estimate that between 2004 and 2008 more than 3,000 Colombians were executed extrajudicially, the majority attributed to the armed forces, and were presented as 'NN killed in combat' but were connected with forced disappearances," said Salazar.

He added that there are numerous cases of unidentified killed in combat that have been closed without investigation, and that these should be reopened and examined by an independent commission.

More:
http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/16574-un-calls-for-reclassification-of-many-of-colombias-unidentified-dead-.html