COLOMBIA: Families of FARC victims demand answers and accountability as government and FARC rebels discuss peace in Oslo

Record ID: 349639

  • Title: COLOMBIA: Families of FARC victims demand answers and accountability as government and FARC rebels discuss peace in Oslo
  • Date: 18th October 2012
  • Summary: BOGOTA, COLOMBIA (OCTOBER 18, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF KIDNAPPING VICTIM'S MOTHER, TERESA DUQUE DE SILVA, WATCHING THE PEACE TALKS ON TELEVISION VARIOUS OF STILLS OF KIDNAPPED LAWYER, JAMES SILVA DUQUE
  • Embargoed: 2nd November 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Colombia
  • Country: Colombia
  • Topics: Conflict,Politics,People
  • Reuters ID: LVAEWLM2I0MJWNE1G35AR0UMFVBC
  • Story Text: Relatives of FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) kidnap victims gathered on Thursday (October 18) in Bogota's Bolivar Square to demand the truth about their loved ones' fates as historic peace talks between the Colombian government and FARC guerillas are now underway in Oslo, Norway.
    Some brought photographs of their missing loved ones and emphasized the need for truth in the dialogues.
    "Tell them to tell us the truth - nothing but the truth. I am resigned, we are resigned to receiving the news, no matter how severe, to find out if they killed him and where his body is so that he can be given a Christian burial. This is very terrible, all of us mothers who are suffering - we would not wish this on anyone," said Teresa Duque de Silva, whose son was kidnapped by the FARC in 2002.
    "At this moment they are starting the dialogue in Oslo. Here in Bolivar Square, accompanied by these victims, we are telling the negotiators to tell the truth. Here is the evidence of all the crimes committed, of the kidnappings, of the disappearances. It is a farce, it is a lie when they say they don't have the kidnapping victims. And if they don't have them, it's because they have killed them and even if this is the case, they must return the bodies. But if they don't have them, we still do not absolve them of responsibility for the kidnappings, "said Herbin Hoyos, creator and host of the radio program, 'Voices of the Kidnapped.' Political analyst Jorge Mario Eastman stressed the need for a measured, respectful dialogue between both parties.
    "The (FARC's) need for a strong speech, a speech that was relatively hostile and that emphasizes the areas of disagreement. (In contrast,) I really liked the speech that was made by Doctor De la Calle. It was serious, centred, measured, respectful of the other. I think it should be used to set the tone for the negotiations from now on," said Eastman.
    The Norway talks represent the latest attempt to negotiate peace with the drug-funded rebels since they formed back in 1964. Past discussions ended in shambles, even strengthening the guerrillas' ability to attack civilian and military targets.
    As the preliminary talks in Oslo wrapped up, the two sides agreed to meet in Havana in mid-November to continue the negotiations.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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