No to War, No to Kidnapping - Support for Humanitarian (Prisoner) Exchange in Colombia

In accordance with the position of the national leadership of the Polo Democratico Alternativo's, (Alternative Democratic Pole, PDA) demanding a Humanitarian Exchange of prisoners and in opposition to war and kidnapping, the Toronto/Canada PDA organizing committee declares the following:

1) We are firmly committed to finding solutions and alternatives that lead to the reconciliation between Colombians that reaffirm our commitment to democracy, in opposition to the polarization of the country's internal armed conflict.
2) We support the proposal put forth nationally and internationally by the leadership of the PDA that supports a humanitarian solution to the drama of individuals who have been deprived of their freedom and we reject the practice of kidnapping, independent of who carries it out.
3) Similarly, we condemn with indignation and sadness the inhumane condition experienced by 4 million internally displaced persons in Colombia, the murder of trade unionists and social opposition leaders and generally, all crimes produced by the spiral of violence in Colombia that are deepened by the internal conflict that is constantly ignored by the government.
4) We object to the growing polarization of Colombian society that negates diverse alternatives, as if everything was black and white that would contribute to a humanitarian solution to the crisis.
5) We oppose the Colombian government's persistence in pursuing violent solutions to the country's conflict. Similarly, we oppose military rescue operations because of the risk they represent, and because the family members of kidnap victims oppose them. We demand respect for all victims of all forms of violence impacting the country.

In support of peace and the humanitarian exchange.

Democratic Alternative Polo – Toronto, Canada.
January 30, 2008.
-- *Este correo corresponde a la direccion electronica oficial del Comite de Impulso del Polo Democratico Alternativo de Toronto, Canada.