The family of Mr Niall Connolly, one of the three men arrested in Colombia, has asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, to intervene with the authorities there to ensure their protection from physical abuse while in custody.
Expressing concern about political murders and prison riots in Colombia, the family said in a statement the three men were innocent and no factual information was presented to justify any of the charges.
The family called for those concerned with protecting human rights to call for the immediate release of the three men.
The Connolly family statement said: "We were shocked and dismayed to learn the Colombian authorities have decided to press charges against Niall and the two men with whom he was arrested, Mr James Monaghan and Mr Martin McCauley.
"We have endured 10 days of false accusations, wild allegations, speculation and innuendo aimed at determining their guilt without any proper legal process. Much of the commentary and reporting in Colombia, Ireland and Britain, has breached their fundamental human rights and clearly damaged their prospects of a fair trial. Such a trial is, at any rate, impossible in a country where human rights and due process are routinely ignored.
"We are particularly concerned at this time that they remain in custody in a country where there are daily reports of political murders and riots in prisons. We have formally asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Brian Cowen TD, to intervene directly with the Colombian authorities, including the military, to ensure their lives are protected and that they are kept safe from any physical abuse or danger while in custody.
"These men are innocent and, aside from the false documents in their possession, no factual evidence has been presented to justify any of the charges. We deeply appreciate the very many messages of support we have received and would ask all those concerned about protecting human rights to call for their immediate release and early return to their families."