Inter-American human rights court says Colombia recognizes gov’t role in 1994 killing

Rights court: Colombia apologizes for 1994 killing

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica — The Inter-American Human Rights Court says Colombia’s government has acknowledged responsibility in the 1994 killing of a communist senator and asked forgiveness.

The revelation came in a statement Thursday involving the assassination of Sen. Manuel Cepeda.

The court quotes Colombia’s government as saying it profoundly regrets the crime and asks to be forgiven.

The senator’s son says that isn’t enough and is demanding Colombian President Alvaro Uribe make the apology in a national broadcast.

A Colombian judge convicted two soldiers of assassinating the senator and sentenced each to 43 years in prison in 1999.

The Costa Rica-based rights court operates under the aegis of the Organization of American States.