Minister of State Treacy Meets Husband of Colombian kidnap victim

The Minister of State for European Affairs, Noel Treacy T.D., met today with Juan Carlos Lecompte, the husband of Ingrid Betancourt who was kidnapped by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) on 23 February 2002. 

Ingrid Betancourt is still held in captivity, along with many other kidnap victims in Colombia.  She was a candidate in the last Presidential elections in that country.  A member of the Green Party, her case has attracted widespread international attention.

Minister Treacy assured Mr. Lecompte that the Government shares his concern about the plight of his wife and the many others who are held hostage in Colombia.  He added that:   

“Ireland, together with our EU partners, strongly condemns the practice of hostage-taking and kidnapping and we call upon all illegal armed groups in Colombia to release hostages immediately and unconditionally.  We continue to support the Government of Colombia in its search for a negotiated solution to the internal armed conflict, including through direct engagement with those illegal armed groups who may be prepared to negotiate a peace agreement.  Ireland strongly supported the calls made at the Cartagena international meeting in support of the Colombian peace process on 3 February 2005, and by the Commission on Human Rights on 21 April 2005, for the immediate release of all kidnap victims.”