Mrs. Cordoba was kidnapped in Colombia last year by paramilitaries. Under strong international pressure, including a statement issued here condemning her two-week captivity, she was released. However, continued threats against her and her family forced her to move to Canada.I have the following statement in connection with this visit:

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by the situation of human rights in Colombia and particularly by the high incidence of kidnappings and massacres of civilians. He wishes to note his support for the international consensus expressed during the last session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, which called on the parties to reach as a priority a comprehensive human rights and humanitarian agreement.