62 human rights defenders killed in 2014

In a recent report from the United Nations the Colombian government’s ability to stop the killings of human rights activists was put into question. In 2014, 62 human rights defenders, social activists, and land reclaimants were killed. In January this year the figure reached 10.

“The threats, killings, and forced disappearance that human rights defenders have been subjected to for decades have sought to silence their voices and their demands for full respect for human rights and the construction of a more just society. The impunity which the culprits enjoy has sent a message that the state is not capable of preventing the culprits from repeating their actions”. This was the UN statement in the aftermath of the killing of Carlos Alberta Pedraza, a young recent graduate who was active with the People’s Congress social movement before being shot dead in January 2015.