Humanitarian agreement proposed in Colombia
16-12-2005 News Release 05/76
Following the proposal presented by the governments of France, Spain and Switzerland to the Colombian government and FARC-EP on 13 December 2005, the delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Colombia reiterates its willingness to support the search for ways of freeing the hostages, military personnel and police officers.
It does so primarily in the interests of the victims concerned.
The ICRC’s delegation in Colombia has been facilitating the work of an exploratory technical commission in the Cordillera Central region. The aim of this mission was to seek a workable formula for a meeting between representatives of the Colombian government and of FARC-EP, at which they could draw up a humanitarian agreement.
The ICRC is satisfied with the proposal the three countries have put forward. The organization confirms that if the parties ask it to do so, it is prepared to provide its services as suggested in the proposal.
The ICRC also welcomes the Colombian government’s decision, while believing that initiatives of this nature should be taken with due discretion and caution.
The ICRC’s role in this issue should become clearer once the parties have accepted the proposal.
For further information, please contact:
Marco Jiménez Rodríguez, ICRC Geneva, tel. +41 22 730 22 61 / +41 79 217 32 17
Yves Heller, ICRC Bogotá, tel. +57 1 313 86 30