UN indicates that 78 human rights activists were killed in Colombia in 2021 | News

Nathan Rivera

13/01/2022

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The UN Office for Human Rights in Colombia revealed on Wednesday that at least 78 human rights defenders were killed in the South American country during 2021.

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UN condemns violations of children in the conflict in Colombia

According to the UN office in Colombia, from January 1 to December 31, 2021, 202 allegations of homicides of defenders were reported. Of these, it has verified 78 cases, 39 cases are in the verification process and 85 cases are inconclusive, the international organization noted.

The agency clarified that the number of murders of human rights defenders does not represent all the murders in Colombia but the cases that they have received and verified.



When breaking down the information, the UN Office indicated that of the total murdered, eight were women and five of them were indigenous. Of the 70 men, six belonged to Afro communities and six were indigenous.

According to the agency's report published on Wednesday, the highest number of homicides against defenders occurred in the department of Valle del Cauca, where 31 were killed, five of them in the capital Cali.

Meanwhile in Cauca the number of murdered was eleven, three of them in the town of Algeria, constantly besieged by illegal armed groups.

The UN Office for Human Rights documented that six defenders were killed in Antioquia, while in Chocó and Cundinamarca, there were five in each.

For its part, in the department of Norte de Santander, bordering Venezuela, four other defenders were reported murdered.

The agency pointed out that of the 39 crimes that are still being verified, the majority occurred in Cauca (8), Nariño (6), Antioquia (5), Putumayo and Bolívar (4) and Valle del Cauca (3).

The UN also warned on Wednesday that the child population in Colombia is the main victim of the social and armed conflict in the country, despite the fact that the number of crimes against minors fell after the signing of the Peace Accords.

According to the report published by the agency, at least 220 minors were recruited by irregular armed groups during the period from July 2019 to June of last year.

In this sense, Colombian civil society organizations urged that the peace talks between the Colombian government and the National Liberation Army be deepened, seeking to stop violent crimes, including the recruitment of infants and adolescents.

Author Profile

Nathan Rivera
Allow me to introduce myself. I am Nathan Rivera, a dedicated journalist who has had the privilege of writing for the online newspaper Today90. My journey in the world of journalism has been a testament to the power of dedication, integrity, and passion.

My story began with a relentless thirst for knowledge and an innate curiosity about the events shaping our world. I graduated with honors in Investigative Journalism from a renowned university, laying the foundation for what would become a fulfilling career in the field.

What sets me apart is my unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth. I refuse to settle for superficial answers or preconceived narratives. Instead, I constantly challenge the status quo, delving deep into complex issues to reveal the reality beneath the surface. My dedication to investigative journalism has uncovered numerous scandals and shed light on issues others might prefer to ignore.

I am also a staunch advocate for press freedom. I have tirelessly fought to protect the rights of journalists and have faced significant challenges in my quest to inform the public truthfully and without constraints. My courage in defending these principles serves as an example to all who believe in the power of journalism to change the world.

Throughout my career, I have been honored with numerous awards and recognitions for my outstanding work in journalism. My investigations have changed policies, exposed corruption, and given a voice to those who had none. My commitment to truth and justice makes me a beacon of hope in a world where misinformation often prevails.

At Today90, I continue to be a driving force behind journalistic excellence. My tireless dedication to fair and accurate reporting is an invaluable asset to the editorial team. My biography is a living testament to the importance of journalism in our society and a reminder that a dedicated journalist can make a difference in the world.

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