The Colombia Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed "profound preoccupation" at the increase in death threats and killings aimed at human rights defenders and other civil society leaders in the aftermath of the national day to commemorate victims of state violence that was held on March 6th in Colombia and around the world.
According to a statement released by the UN on March 13th several community leaders, trade unionists, peace activists and human rights defenders have been targeted. Louise Arbour, the UN High Commissioner has repeatedly expressed her support for the "dedication and bravery of Colombian human rights defenders" and has called for their lives to be protected.
For the original statement in Spanish, click on the following link.