WCC director applauds liberation of Colombian hostages

The liberation of Clara Rojas and Consuelo González "is a sign of hope that shows that a negotiated solution to the situation in Colombia is possible", stated today Rev. Elenora Giddings Ivory, director of the World Council of Churches (WCC) programme on Public witness: addressing power and affirming peace . Expressing joy at the liberation of the two women held hostage by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) for about six years, Giddings Ivory congratulated the mediators and called on the Colombian government and the FARC "to look for peaceful ways of ending the long lasting violent conflict", in which "civil society has suffered the most", with hundred of civilians "victimized by the ongoing military operations". Giddings Ivory also affirmed that a "humanitarian agreement is still possible and urgent to put an end to the hostage situation". Several hundreds of people are believed to be held hostages by the FARC.