Ex-senator and activist Piedad Cordoba has said the Colombian constitution should be changed to disallow the extradition of any rebels who could take part in peace talks, reported local press Wednesday.
Speaking at a meeting held by hostage awareness organization Vivamos Humanos, the leader of Colombians for Peace said people who could potentially mediate or intervene in a peace process should stay in Colombia.
Cordoba highlighted the case of three FARC members in jail in the U.S. — who the guerrillas say must be returned to Colombia before negotiations can begin — but added, “More important [than their repatriation]… is an amendment to the constitution regarding extradition, to prevent people extradited who may be important during a crucial moment for the peace process.”
The objective was to open “all paths to peace,” she said. Former Colombian president Ernesto Samper, also at the meeting, agreed, saying, “Extradition should not be used to interfere with the peace process. The country needs to change the constitution so there is no possibility of altering the peace process.”
Cordoba plans to present the proposal to the government during a February 23 inspection of Colombia’s prisons.