COLOMBIAN HOSTAGES

That this House expresses concern for all those political hostages being held throughout Colombia; is particularly concerned by the plight of Ingrid Betancourt, a former Colombian presidential candidate, who has been held hostage by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) for the last six years; notes with further concern reports of the deteriorating health of Ms Betancourt; further notes the recent downturn in diplomatic relations in the Andean region between Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela as a consequence of the activities of FARC and the Colombian military; and calls on the Prime Minister to follow the example of the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, in calling for the immediate release of Ingrid Betancourt and the continuation of unconditional humanitarian hostage releases by FARC.