Colombia’s largest rebel group has publicly rejected a statement it published earlier this week saying that congresswoman Clara Rojas, detained by the FARC for six years, does not have the right to be presented as a victim.
After requests by government’s chief peace negotiator to clarify its position, the FARC published a statement on their website Friday claiming that the original article was the personal opinion of a FARC commander, and not that of the organization.
MORE: Prominent kidnap victim has no right to be labeled victim: FARC
The six-point statement claims that neither the Peace Delegation of the FARC, nor the organization itself, has issued any “assessment [or] dismissal” of Rojas, despite the original article’s posting on their official website.
It also says that the group has never exerted any pressure on organizers of the peace negotiations to block Rojas’ attendance at the peace talks.
Humberto de la Calle, in response to the original statement, said that to deny Rojas’ kidnapping was to deny her rights as a victim and as a woman, according Colombia’s El Tiempo newpaper.
Rojas was captured along with presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt in 2002 while working as her campaign manager.
The two were freed in 2008. Rojas is now a House Representative for the coalition Liberal Party.
Sources
- Respuesta al Humerto de la Calle (FARC Peace Delegation’s website)
- Es muestra de desprecio no reconocer a Clara como victima: De la Calle (El Tiempo)