The Head of State reminded that in the past, victims did not claim because they were too afraid or because the found it useless. Now, that has changed and 220 thousand are registered to receive compensation. He considered that this will be an expensive process for the treasury, but necessary to eliminate all seeds of revenge.

Bogota, June 16 (SP). President Álvaro Uribe Vélez highlighted the approval of the Law for Victims and said that the Government will use the support of the rule and the decree issued a year and a half to begin with the monetary compensations for those Colombians who have been victims of violence and terrorism.

“Tonight the Chamber of Representatives approved a new Law for Victims. The country is ready to support the victims, to make the effort to partially compensate them” the Leader pointed during the opening of Expopartes 2009, held this Tuesday in Corferias, Bogota.

“Considering a decree issued a year and a half, and now supported with the new Law, the Government will begin to pay the monetary compensation to the victims at the end of this month”

Uribe Vélez reminded that before the implementation of the Democratic Security Policy, victims did not claim their rights because they were too afraid or did not believe in an effective compensation. That has changed and today 220 thousand victims are registered to receive compensation.

He considered that this will be an expensive process for the treasury, but necessary to eliminate all seeds of revenge.

“In the past they (victims) did not claim, they found it useless or they were afraid. Today, more than 220 thousand victims are registered in a list to receive compensation. This task will cost a lot to the treasury in the following years, but is necessary to eliminate all seeds of revenge”, the President said.