The new Colombian government must protect lives and prevent attacks against human rights defenders

The new Colombian government took office on 7 August, providing a historic and unprecedented opportunity to halt the dynamics of violence against human rights defenders in the country. For national organisations, this transformation will be possible as long as the government commits to implementing the mechanisms established in the Peace Agreement and to changing towards an effective security policy, with an integral presence on the ground.

The alarming death rate left by the outgoing administration corresponds to more than 900 human rights defenders killed during the last four years – despite the vital work they do so that everyone can enjoy their human rights – with 107 for the current year alone, according to data from INDEPAZ. ISHR, jointly with international  and national organisations, encourages participatory dialogues and accompaniment in the necessary reforms to ensure an enabling environment for human rights defenders and accountability for crimes against them.

Read the full statement here.