The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) announced Friday that the narco-paramilitary group Clan del Golfo has handed over a minor to them following recent clashes in the Bajo Cauca sub-region of Colombia.
The Gulf Clan — officially known as the Gaitanista Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AGC) — has handed over to the ICRC an adolescent in «adequate health conditions» so that he «can return to his family,» the organization said in a statement.
«International humanitarian law provides special protection for children and adolescents because of their particular vulnerability. Despite this, they are often directly or indirectly involved in armed conflicts, which generates profound consequences such as separation from their loved ones or the loss of their life projects,» said the ICRC in the letter.
For this reason, they have valued «positively» the actions that the parties involved have been able to carry out to «reduce the humanitarian consequences», such as helping the child to return to his family and reintegrate, according to the head of the ICRC office in the town of Monteria, Robera Businaro.
«Every day we work to alleviate, without discrimination, the suffering of the population (…) We appreciate that the bearers of weapons recognize the neutrality and impartiality that characterizes our humanitarian work, trust our work as a neutral intermediary and allow us access to the most affected areas,» added Businaro.
The ICRC has reiterated its willingness to participate in humanitarian missions that can contribute to reducing the suffering and impact of armed conflict and violence in Colombia.
