This message is not political. The International Federation of Ingrid Betancourt committees (F.I.C.I.B.) have never supported either the policies of FARC or those of the Colombian government.

Our action is entirely humanitarian. Since 23 February, it has been thus: we call on both sides in the conflict to find a negotiated settlement to the problem of POWS and civilian hostages in Colombia.

Without going into the underlying reasons for the conflict, we now have evidence that conditions in which some hostages are held – and in particular Ingrid Betancourt- are particularly monstrous and inhumane.
Ingrid is seriously ill. She is the victim of cruel treatment both by other hostages and by those in FARC who are guarding her, which cannot be justified.

Her life is in danger. Full responsibility for these acts is directly due to the actions of FARC soldiers.

Whatever happens to her in the coming weeks will be your responsibility.
Mr Marulanda, for reasons of health and on humanitarian grounds, we ask you to free Ingrid Betancourt immediately. Her death would, in our view, be a war crime for which you would be held personally responsible.

Her immediate and unilateral release would clearly be a humanitarian gesture which President Uribe, if he wishes to retain the credibility of the international community, will be unable to treat with indifference.

We undertake, as soon as Ingrid is released to concentrate all our efforts in supporting Presidents Chavez and Sarkozy in their attempts to encourage direct talks to be organised between FARC and the Colombian government, in a demilitarised zone, secured by the international community, to guarantee the safety of negotiators and the local population.