UN Demands Colombia Explain the Deaths of 3 Indigenous Workers

The Colombian state must explain the deaths of three indigenous members after clashes with police officers during the ongoing agrarian strike, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said on Wednesday.

IN PICTURES:
Colombia Rural Strike Stands Strong as Police Repression Mounts

"These facts should be fully clarified by the judicial authorities, our office offers full support. It is imperative to take all measures to prevent situations like this to happen again," said the U.N. statement.

Thousands of peasants, indigenous and afro people are holding demonstrations across to protest the lack of commitment by the government to a series of agreements that were previously reached following a nationwide rural strike in 2013. Among the protesters demands are calls for improvements in health, education, access to land and a moratorium on extractive projects. They’ve blocked several roads, with police pledging to take down all blockades impeding vehicular traffic.

There are currently protests in 18 of the 32 departments of the country. Since the unrest began on May 30 three people have died, more than 200 have been injured and 100 arrested.