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PRESS RELEASE No. 13/03
THE
IACHR DEPLORES THE DEATH OF
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The Inter-American Human Rights Commission (IACHR) deplores the
violent death of the Governor of Antioquia Department, Guillermo Gaviria,
and his peace advisor and former Minister of Defense, Gilberto Echeverri,
and those of eight other persons taken hostage by the Revolutionary Armed
Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas
Revolucionarias de Colombia - FARC) in violation of international
humanitarian law. The
Governor and his advisor were kidnapped by the FARC on April 21, 2002, in
the context of a peace and reconciliation initiative in the Caicedo area. The
IACHR expresses its condolences to the families of the victims and urges
the group, which still unlawfully holds numerous civilians in Colombia, to
respect their lives, safety, and well-being, and to effect their immediate
and unconditional release. Washington, D.C., May 7, 2003 |
