Assaults against human rights defenders in Colombia: alarming figures in 2023

Aggressions against human rights defenders in Colombia have reached alarming levels during the year 2023, according to the report published by the organization Somos Defensores under the title "Puntos Suspensivos" (Suspension Points). This report reveals a total of 765 aggressions committed against 712 defenders throughout the year, which equates to an average of two aggressions per day. These aggressions encompass a variety of violent acts ranging from threats to murders, forced displacements, disappearances, arbitrary detentions, and other attacks that violate the integrity of those who fight for the defense of human rights in the country. Among the most common forms of aggression, threats rank first with an incidence of 57%, followed by murders at 22%, attacks at 9%, forced displacements at 4.5%, and forced disappearances at 2.6%. The most critical months were January, March, April, February, and July, concentrating 63% of the aggressions in the first half of the year. Despite a 9% decrease in the total number of aggressions compared to the previous year, the risk situation for defenders remains high. The report highlights that, although there was a reduction in murders, decreasing from 197 in 2022 to 168 in 2023, there are still concerning elements indicating a change in the dynamics of violence in the country. Likewise, there is an increase in aggressions such as forced displacements, which rose by 94.4%, and forced disappearances, which doubled their incidence. These data reflect a complex scenario in which, despite some progress, threats and non-lethal violence persist as intimidation mechanisms against human rights defenders. In the context of the implementation of the Total Peace strategy by the Government and the transition towards a new left-wing mandate with the arrival of Gustavo Petro to the Presidency, positive changes in the protection of defenders were expected. However, the report points out that while the intensity of violence has decreased in some aspects, it has shifted towards non-lethal aggressions that also pose a serious risk to social leaders and human rights defenders in the country. The aggressions are concentrated in strategic areas such as southwestern Colombia, where the presence of armed groups and the dispute for territorial control generate a high level of conflict. This territory is key due to its richness in natural resources and geographical location, making it a target for illicit activities such as drug trafficking. Additionally, the departments of Cauca, Antioquia, Nariño, and Valle del Cauca stand out for the high incidence of aggressions against defenders, reflecting the complexity of the situation in the country. The alleged responsibility of various armed actors in the aggressions, such as paramilitaries, post-peace agreement groups with the FARC and the ELN, poses a challenge in terms of protection and guarantees for human rights defenders. Impunity in many of these cases and the lack of clarification regarding the perpetrators contribute to a climate of vulnerability and fear among those who carry out this fundamental work in Colombian society. Amidst this scenario, the coordinator of Somos Defensores, Astrid Torres, emphasizes the importance of Government negotiations with armed groups including the protection and respect for leaderships in communities. The political will to advance in peace processes must translate into concrete actions and effective measures that guarantee the security of defenders and the prevention of future aggressions. In conclusion, the situation of human rights defenders in Colombia remains critical, with a context of violence and latent risk that requires urgent attention from authorities and society as a whole. The protection of those who advocate for the defense of fundamental rights is an essential pillar for the construction of a just and democratic society, where the work of defenders is recognized and respected for their invaluable contribution to the well-being of all Colombians.