International Federation
of Freedom Committees (FICIB) Press Statement
Following statements made by Clara Rojas
regarding the attitude of the "Betancourt family" during the
lengthy captivity of Clara and Ingrid, the International Federation of
freedom Committees (Federation Internationale des Comités LIBertad)
does not wish to embroil itself in the growing debate but would like to
point out the following facts that can be easily verified. - Since the
kidnapping of the two women in 2002, the support committees that joined
the Federation systematically associated the campaign for Clara with
that of Ingrid and stated it was fighting for the freeing of all
hostages in Colombia (see FICIB statutes on our site at
www.InfoLibertad.com).
- In particular, after 2005, in contacts
we made with local councils, we always requested that the symbolic
" Honoury Freedom "be given jointly to Ingrid and Clara. While
it is difficult to get a reliable figure, we know that during the last
two years of Clara's captivity, a good number of councils actually gave
Clara "Honorary Freedom", at our request.
- At events organised by our federation,
Yolanda, Ingrid's mother ,and Astrid, Ingrid's sister, always associated
Ingrid's name with that of Clara, and during the Federation AGM in 2007,
Astrid Betancourt even inaugurated a "Ingrid and Clara" Square
in Avoine(Indre and Loire Department).
- Finally, although this type of action
was outside our usual activity, one committee belonging to the
federation, used part of the proceeds of a concert given by the French
singer Renaud to give financial help to Clara's mother. In conclusion,
the International Federation of Freedom Committees wishes to state that
it is continuing its campaign for the release of those held hostage in
Colombia and is supporting families of the disappeared as well as all
victims of violence in Colombia.