Question reference: S6W-08320
- Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 3 May 2022
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Current status: Answered by Keith Brown on 12 May 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with non-governmental organisations and human rights campaigners regarding Police Scotland’s training of the National Police of Colombia.
Answer
It is for Police Scotland to decide how best to engage with non-governmental organisations in the context of an international deployment. I can, however, confirm that Police Scotland discussed this particular deployment with a Scottish-based NGO which has a strong track-record in Colombia. Police Scotland has also held discussions with representatives from indigenous communities in the country. This approach has helped to ensure that officers are aware of human rights concerns and that there is transparency in relation to the purpose of the deployment. Doing so reflects a human rights-based approach and is consistent also with Police Scotland’s Code of Ethics.