After six years in captivity at the hands of the FARC guerrilla group, the former Colombian presidential candidate was freed following a military operation.
In reaction to the news that former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt has at last gained her freedom, Amnesty International said:
“This is positive news but we should not forget about the other hundreds who continue to be held across Colombia. We urge the FARC to release them immediately and unconditionally."
Extradition of Colombian paramilitary leaders should not be used as an excuse to end
investigations into the role played by paramilitaries in committing
human rights violations against thousands of people.
The Colombian government's decision to extradite 14 paramilitary leaders wanted in the USA on drugs-trafficking charges should not be used as an excuse to end investigations into the role played by paramilitaries in committing human rights violations against thousands of people, often in collusion with or the acquiescence of the Colombian security forces, Amnesty International said today.
Four more hostages have been released by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
The release of four Colombians held by the FARC is very positive news but we must not forget about the hundreds of civilians who are still being held hostage across the country.
Amnesty International today urged the Colombian government and armed groups involved in the country’s internal conflict to respect the right of members of the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó to return to the Mulatos hamlet in safety, three years after a massacre on 21 February 2005 forced some of them off their land.
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) released two of its high-profile hostages on Thursday.
Amnesty International today welcomed the release by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) of two of its high-profile hostages.
Since the beginning of the war in Iraq in March 2003, more
journalists have been killed in that country than anywhere else in the
world.
