Top UN officials welcome release of six Colombian hostages

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the top United Nations human rights official today welcomed the recent liberation of six Colombian hostages held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), calling for the immediate release of all hostages being held worldwide.

Expressing his solidarity with those still being held in Colombia, Mr. Ban said he hopes the freeing of the hostages, which took place over the past five days, will spur further releases.

“The Secretary-General is pleased to know that they are now enjoying their freedom after so much time in captivity,” according to a statement issued by his spokesperson.

He also expressed relief that among those liberated is Alan Jara, the former Governor of the Department of Meta, who was kidnapped by FARC in 2001 while travelling in a UN vehicle.

“Kidnapping is an inhumane and unjustifiable crime as well as a gross violation of international human rights and international humanitarian law,” the statement added.

The hostages, comprising three police officers, one soldier and two politicians, had been held in captivity for between two and eight years. The last to be freed was a former local Congressman named Sigifredo López, whose 11 colleagues were killed by the rebel group.

“Scores of kidnap victims remain in captivity in total disregard for the minimum standards of treatment required under international humanitarian law,” said High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, stressing that illegal armed groups are required to release everyone they have kidnapped immediately and unconditionally.

She noted that the widespread taking of hostages held in inhumane conditions could be deemed a crime against humanity.

“Our joy at this week's attempts is still tempered by the fact that there are still so many other Colombian families anxiously waiting for their loved ones to be returned to them,” Ms. Pillay stated. “We need to remember the agony of those who have to wait, in some cases for years on end, and redouble our efforts at all levels, to have these people set free.”

Both the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner lauded the role played by governments and non-governmental organizations in securing the hostages' release.