Betancourt's experience must push EU to help hostage release

4.30.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 9th Oct 2008

In her visit to the European Parliament, former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, who was freed in July along with 14 others from her long period as a hostage of the FARC terrorist guerrilla group, called for global awareness of human rights violations and for Latin America to emulate the EU in seeking an end to conflict through dialogue and a common search for justice.

London MEP and Liberal Democrat European justice & human rights spokeswoman Sarah Ludford co-sponsored a declaration 6 months ago condemning the FARC kidnapping of civilians and calling on the EU to help Colombia in humanitarian negotiations for hostages' release.

After meeting Ingrid Betancourt, she said:

"There is nothing glamorous about the FARC. Their claim to be seeking the welfare of the Colombian people is shot to pieces by their inhumane actions in taking civilians hostages and subjecting them to terrible conditions for years on end."

"Ingrid Betancourt is admirably using her experience and moral authority to campaign for the rights of others caught up in conflict. The EU must use all its diplomatic and other leverage to help Latin America come together to assist in securing humanitarian negotiations."

"I also support Ingrid's proposal that we should display in the European Parliament the names of all terrorism victims, as a reminder of the need for action."