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Colombia drops disputed 'military exclusion' plan
Posted: Feb 18, 2012 10:26 PM by Jacqui Heinrich
Updated: Feb 18, 2012 10:32 PM
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) - Colombia's government is dropping a proposed judicial change that would have let military judges decide whether soldiers should be tried for alleged rights abuses. Human rights groups have opposed the measure.
Justice Minister Carlos Esguerra said Saturday the decision not to seek restoration of the "military exclusion" as part of judicial reform legislation was recommended by a commission that included former magistrates and army generals.
Human Rights Watch had campaigned vigorously against the proposal.
Since a scandal broke in 2008 over extra-judicial killings by Colombia's military, 368 soldiers and police officers have been convicted of such killings and 700 more still face charges.
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