Statement Attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on the Release of Hostages in Colombia

The release this week of six hostages held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, FARC, is welcome news which the Secretary-General hopes will lead to further releases. He commends the governmental and non-governmental efforts that enabled these developments to take place. The Secretary-General is relieved that among those released is the former Governor of the Department of Meta, Alan Jara, who was kidnapped by the FARC in 2001 when traveling in a UN vehicle. The Secretary-General is pleased to know that they are now enjoying their freedom after so much time in captivity. He expresses his solidarity with the many people still being held against their will in Colombia.

Kidnapping is an inhumane and unjustifiable crime as well as a gross violation of international human rights and humanitarian law. The Secretary-General calls on the FARC and other groups to release all hostages immediately.