The Governing Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union,

Referring to the case of Mr. Oscar Lizcano, former member of the Congress of Colombia, as outlined in the report of the Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians (CL/184/12(b)-R.1), and to the resolution adopted at its 183rd session (October 2008),

Recalling that Mr. Lizcano was kidnapped by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) on 5 August 2000, and that there have been increasing concerns about his appalling conditions of captivity and precarious health,

Considering that, on 25 October 2008, Mr. Lizcano, along with a FARC member, escaped from the FARC camp where he was held,

Recalling that FARC continues to hold some 700 hostages,

1. Is gratified that Mr. Lizcano has finally recovered his freedom after years of captivity by FARC and agonizing uncertainty for him and his family;

2. Cannot nevertheless disregard the fact that the revelations about his appalling conditions of captivity and precarious health point to the urgent need to conclude a humanitarian agreement with a view to securing the release of the many remaining hostages held by FARC; and calls once again fordecisive action to reach such an agreement as soon as possible;

3. Recalls that the abduction of persons taking no active part in hostilities is explicitly prohibited under international humanitarian law, and calls on FARC to release its civilian hostages immediately and unconditionally and to refrain from the unlawful practice of kidnapping;

4. Requests the Secretary General to inform the competent authorities and the source accordingly, and decides to close this case since Mr. Lizcano has recovered his freedom.

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