Topics of Interest
Money Laundering
U.S. Government Supports Private Sector Participation in Resinsertion Program
While U.S. law prohibits companies and individuals from knowingly providing support to or having dealings with terrorist organizations, the United States is supportive of the Government of Colombia's efforts to demobilize terrorist organizations and to reintegrate former members and supporters of such organizations into society. To qualify for this program, individual participants in this program were required to renounce their membership in any and all terrorist organizations and have sworn not to rejoin or support such organizations in the future.
As a policy matter, the U.S. supports the Government of Colombia's efforts to encourage employers to facilitate this process of integration by providing opportunities to participants in the program.
As a legal matter, we note for the benefit of employers who are subject to U.S. law that there are no U.S. criminal restrictions against employing or assisting program participants who are no longer members or supporters of a terrorist organization.
Employers should of course always be mindful of the criminal prohibitions against knowingly supporting terrorist organizations -- particularly if they suspect that any individuals in their employment (whether or not participants in the reintegration program) are currently members or supporters of any terrorist organization.
“This is an important step forward," said Ambassador Wood.
Bogota, D.C.
February 14, 2006