The release took place in a rural area of the province of Arauca (north-east) and was facilitated by the mission, which was composed of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Office of the Ombudsman and the Catholic Church.
“In the context of armed conflicts, children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable, which is why we recognize the importance of this humanitarian gesture that will allow these adolescents to return to their families,” said Julia Oliveira, head of the ICRC office. . in Sarafina.
He thanked the concerned parties for their confidence in impartial, fair and independent work.
According to a statement issued by the committee, this release is in addition to the release that took place on December 8, in which the ICRC received two other teenagers who were in the hands of the same armed group.
“The secret dialogue that we maintain with the bearers of arms and the access they allow us to the areas most affected by armed conflicts, allows the appropriate development of this type of operation, where our only interest is to help alleviate the suffering,” Oliveira added.
The International Committee of the Red Cross reminded all parties to the conflict of the need to respect international humanitarian law, in particular the protection it provides to children and adolescents.
He thanked the journalists and the media for protecting the identity of the minors who were handed over to their families.
The National Liberation Army, which is in talks with Gustavo Petro’s government, announced yesterday a unilateral ceasefire under its commitment to seek peace in Colombia.
Likewise, today an armed strike has been ended in the province of Choco and some areas of Valle del Cauca, a measure that has been in force since December 15th.
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