At least 86 human rights defenders were murdered this year in Colombia, according to a report released Tuesday by Alberto Brunori, the country's representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Colombia National Strike Committee Announces More Protests Against Duque
Brunori stressed that the defense of human rights in Colombia is "a high-risk activity.
"I have to say with sadness and indignation that at least 86 human rights defenders have been murdered in Colombia so far in 2019. We knew many of them, we knew of their courageous work," he said.
#DiaDeLosDerechosHumanos Tenemos que actuar juntos, para lograr protección para defensorXs, basándonos en principios de la Declaración Universal es urgente @Albrunori ��������https://t.co/yCpP1VPrmK pic.twitter.com/ys2gtHBZkh
— ONU Derechos Humanos Colombia (@ONUHumanRights) 10 de diciembre de 2019
#HumanRightsDay We must act together to achieve protection for human rights defendersXs, based on the principles of the Universal Declaration is urgent.
According to the UN delegate, these figures reveal "the lack of integral presence of the Colombian state.
"The strengthening of democracies of equality and dignity is failing because the right to life and human rights are not being protected," he said.
According to Brunori, the crimes against defenders occurred in a context of "stigmatization of their work and their claims," and in remote places where "the exercise of the right to justice and to economic, social and cultural rights is precarious.
#DiaDeLosDerechosHumanos ustedes con sus acciones pueden hacer parte de la lucha universal por la igualdad y la dignidad: @Albrunori ��������@LideraLaVida pic.twitter.com/pzSqG2DaNp
— ONU Derechos Humanos Colombia (@ONUHumanRights) 10 de diciembre de 2019
#HUMAN RIGHTS DAY With your actions you can be part of the universal struggle for equality and dignity
Likewise, the diplomat, who participated in a forum held on the occasion of International Human Rights Day, pointed out that 22 of the 86 leaders murdered were members of Community Action Boards (JAC), grassroots organizations that promote community processes mainly in neighborhoods and rural areas.
According to the Institute of Studies for Development and Peace, since the signing of the agreement between the government of Juan Manuel Santos and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and May of this year, 837 social leaders and human rights defenders and ex-combatants have been assassinated throughout the country.