A Colombian refugee living in Sherbrooke with five of her children is concerned about the fate of a sixth child who was kidnapped by revolutionary forces in their native land.

Gladys Rodriguez, who came to Canada as a refugee in 2008, is happy to be in Canada and not back home where her life was in danger, but she fears for her son Dr. Munive Rodriguez.
Rodriguez explains her son was kidnapped by the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) in 2003. She said he was taken hostage for his medical skills while working in the area of the country controlled by the FARC.
Rodriguez spoke with reporters yesterday at a press conference organized by the Centre pour femmes immigrantes de Sherbrooke, a local help group for immigrants and refugees.
“Despite the difficult moments, the fear, the sadness and the absence of a loved one, the family maintains faith and hopes everyday to get help to be reunited with their son,” said Theresa Bassaletti, director of the immigrant centre.
“Mrs. Rodriguez is a woman of exceptional courage. She is optimistic and she is seeking the support of the Quebec and Canadian governments to help get her son freed,” she added.
Also on hand for yesterday’s press conference was Siham Akkalach, a law student on apprenticeship with Pro Bono Students Canada, a group of some 2,000 law students who combine education with public service by providing legal services to public interest organizations, community groups, government agencies, legal clinics and lawyers working free of charge.

(RS) — Sherbrooke

Thursday, December 18, 2008