Colombia: Hostage Deaths Underscore Guerrilla Abuse
(Washington, May 5, 2003) -- The deaths of two well-known Colombian political figures underscores the need for Colombian guerrilla forces to cease kidnapping and return all hostages immediately and safely to their families, Human Rights Watch said today. The two men, held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army (FARC-EP), were reported killed near Urrao, Antioquia, after a rescue attempt by government forces.


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"It is past time for the armed groups that use kidnapping to release safely the hundreds of Colombians and others who remain in captivity."
José Miguel Vivanco
Executive Director
Americas Division
Human Rights Watch

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Guerrillas seized former Defense Minister Gilberto Echeverri and Antioquia governor Guillermo Gaviria on April 22, 2002, as the two were engaged in efforts meant to bring peace to Colombia. During his time as Defense Minister, Echeverri met several times with Human Rights Watch and worked to reform abusive military policies.

"The onus for these death lays squarely on guerrillas, who held them hostage for over a year," said José Miguel Vivanco, executive director of the Americas Division of Human Rights Watch. "It is past time for the armed groups that use kidnapping to release safely the hundreds of Colombians and others who remain in captivity."

The two men were found dead after an apparent rescue attempt by government forces. The exact circumstances of their deaths is still unclear.

The FARC-EP has a horrendous record of kidnapping civilians. The nongovernmental organization País Libre, which documents kidnapping, says that the FARC-EP is responsible for at least 182 kidnappings in 2003.

Vivanco called on the Colombian authorities to investigate these deaths fully and ensure that all those responsible are brought to justice.