THE IPU CONDEMNS THE MURDER OF COLOMBIAN SENATOR MARTHA CATALINA DANIELS
Horrified at the murder of Colombian Senator Martha Catalina Daniels, her driver and a friend, attributed by the Colombian police to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which is said to have shot them in the head in cold blood, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) "strongly condemns the killing of a parliamentarian who was attempting to mediate with the FARC" said Mrs Najma Heptulla, President of the IPU Council and Deputy Chairman of the Upper House of the Indian Parliament.
The FARC are holding several elected representatives as well as the "Green" candidate to the presidential election, Ingrid Betancourt, who was abducted last week.
The President of the IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians, Chilean MP Juan Pablo Letelier, indignantly stated that "the murder or kidnapping of parliamentarians is all the more serious in that it prevents them from defending and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms in their country. Impunity or an admission of powerlessness in the face of such crimes is a threat not only to all politicians but also to the entire population".
The world organisation of parliaments recalls that certain parliamentarians have been held by the FARC for almost two years. The IPU calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all the parliamentarians who are detained by the guerrilla forces: Eduardo Gechem, Orlando Beltran, Consuelo Gonzalez, Oscar Lizcano and Luis Eladio Perez, as well as ex-Senator Ingrid Betancourt and all the victims of the practice of kidnapping which violates all human rights principles.
|
Established in 1889 and with its headquarters in Geneva, the IPU currently has 142 affiliated national parliaments and five associate regional assemblies. In 1976, the IPU set up the Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians. Chaired by the Chilean Deputy Juan Pablo Letelier, the Committee is composed of five MPs from different regions. It examines allegations and looks for a satisfactory settlement of cases by means of dialogue and cooperation with the authorities and all parties of the countries concerned. The Committee also undertakes hearings and on-site missions. The IPU also has a Liaison Office with the United Nations in New York.
|
 Other press releases |
More information |
|
