Press Releases:

July 3, 2008

FARC: Free Remaining Hostages and Negotiate with Colombia

Oprima aquí para la versión en español.

The International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) welcomes the release of fifteen hostages held for more than 10 years by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The military rescue operation, which freed Ingrid Betancourt, three U.S. citizens and 11 members of the Colombian security forces, proves that the practice of kidnapping is unsustainable.

The ICTJ calls for the immediate release of all other persons held captive by the FARC and other illegal armed organizations. "Hostage taking is contrary to international law, it is deeply immoral and violates the rights of victims and their families," said Juan Mendez, president of the ICTJ.

It is estimated that there are hundreds of people held by FARC and the National Liberation Army (ELN), most of them held for extortion.

The ICTJ urges the FARC and the ELN to open the door to a genuine dialogue with the aim of building peace in Colombia. A lasting peace requires the end of armed conflict, respect for the right of Colombian society to live in peace and the rights of victims to truth, justice and reparation.

The ICTJ also urges the Colombian government to provide all the meetings that are necessary to advance a genuine peace process and respect the rights of victims.

"A first step toward a genuine peace process must be the release of each and every one of the hostages and the immediate cessation of hostilities between the conflicting parties. The actions taken by the government and the Colombian security forces in recent months show that peace is possible in Colombia," reaffirmed Mendez.

The ICTJ insists on the application of international rules and a commitment from all parties to respect international humanitarian law as a first step to start peace negotiations. The Center affirms that the rights of victims, regardless of the perpetrator, must be at the center of decisions, Parties must assume their responsibility to promote a deep process of moral and political transformation in Colombia, under the rule of law and democratic institutions.