The General Director, Federico Mayor, expressed his concern about the current situation throughout the municipality of Apartado, Colombia, at the same time he asked the millitary to respect human rights.
Paris, July 5 1997 (Unesco, Press) "During the celebration of the Regional Summit on Political Development and Democratic Principles currently taking place in Brasilia, Unesco's General Director, Federico Mayor, gave a declaration in favor of peace and municipality of Apartado, Colombia, where the civilian population is becoming increasingly affected by armed groups."
The General Director of Unesco also demonstrated his grave concern about the killings of those tied to the Community of Peace in San Jose de Apartado, as well as pressure against the Mayor, Gloria Isabel Cuartas M., Unesco Mayors for Peace prizewinner. "It is a matter of intolerable assaults on human rights," he said.
He also underlined the utter necessity of respecting human lives, as well as the proceedings of municipal authority, elected by the people, taking into account above all the efforts made by Municipal Mayor Gloria Isabel Cuartas to create a peace process in her turbulent zone.
Finally, he lent his support to actions benefitting the least fortunate sectors of the population and to the Municipal Government's teaching programs to create and affirm a spirit of community and a peaceful solution to the conflicts.