KIDNAPPINGS IN COLOMBIA

Early day motion 990, tabled 18 July 2000 by Tony Lloyd (Labour). Signed by 45 members.

That this House deplores the frequency in Colombia of kidnappings and hostage-taking for either financial or political advantage; notes that there are still significant numbers of such hostages held in captivity; draws attention to the situation of the victims of the Avianca hijacking of 12th April 1999 when 42 civilians were captured on an internal flight; recognises that all but five of these have now been released; applauds the efforts of the Rencuentro group of families of these captives to secure the release of their loved-ones; calls on all parties to the conflict and their international interlocutors to make the early release of all hostages a high priority in the peace process; and exhorts the Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional to release all in their control as a significant gesture towards peace.

Signatures by party: Labour 32, Liberal Democrat 8, Conservative 3, Labour/Co-operative 1, Plaid Cymru 1.