IACHR
Press Release
IACHR Expresses Deep Concern over Threats against Defenders of Human Rights Organizations Working for Peace in Colombia
September 18, 2014
Washington, DC - The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) expresses its deep concern at the threats that have been directed to over 90 advocates and human rights defenders working to establish peace in Colombia.
According to publicly available information, on September 8 and 9, 2014, more than 90 defenders of human rights in Colombia received death threats through emails allegedly coming from the armed group called "Águilas Negras” (“Black Eagles"). This event coincided with the commemoration of the National Day of Human Rights. In those e-mails, the illegal group threatened to declare the human rights defenders as military targets and kill them and their families if they did not leave the country within 15 days. The group also disqualified the work of human rights defenders in the context of the peace process and accused them of being “communist guerrillas.” Several of the defenders who were threatened are beneficiaries of precautionary measures granted by the IACHR.
The existence of a threatening context, stigmatization and intimidation of human rights defenders by groups outside the law in retaliation for their work to defend rights is not a new issue observed by the Commission. The Commission noticed the problem during its visit to Colombia in 2012 and through information received during hearings and meetings held in 2013 and 2014.
The Commission laments the threats to defenders of human rights and urges the Colombian State to urgently take all necessary measures to safeguard the life, integrity and security of the beneficiaries of precautionary measures as well as all defenders of human rights in the country. The Inter-American Commission urges the State of Colombia to immediately conduct an official, exhaustive and impartial investigation aimed to identify where the threats are coming from, and to punish the masterminds and perpetrators, in order to avoid these events from occurring again. The Commission recalls that in many cases of death of defenders, it was preceded by threats that were duly reported but were not adequately addressed by the authorities.
The Commission reiterates that human rights can only be exercised freely when people who protect and advocate for them are not victims of threats or harassment. As the Commission has pointed out before, one of the first steps to effectively protect defenders is to publicly legitimize their work, and protect them from the moment that public authorities are aware of the existence of threats. Many of the killings of human rights defenders in Colombia have allegedly been preceded by threats and intimidation by groups outside the law. States therefore, should take this type of situation seriously and act immediately and effectively. In this regard, the Commission recommends that the State and particularly the National Protection Unit reinforce opportunities for dialogue among its top officials, organizations and individuals directly affected by the threats with the purpose to find urgent, specific and appropriate responses to these serious events.
The Commission reminds Colombia the important role that defenders of human rights have played in denouncing human rights violations occurred during the armed conflict as well as their valuable contributions in the search for and consolidation of peacebuilding process in the country. Acts of violence and other attacks against these defenders affect the fundamental role they play in society and contribute to the vulnerability of all those whose rights they champion.
The IACHR is an autonomous organ of the Organization of American States (OAS), which mandate is derived from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote the observance of human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this matter. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected by the OAS General Assembly in their personal capacity and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.
A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.
No. 103/14