At Least 126 Human Rights Defenders Murdered In America In 2023

What's Behind Colombia's Deadly Record: Coca Cultivation

The driving force behind Colombia's grim distinction lies in the nexus of coca cultivation, drug trafficking, and armed groups. The southwest of the country, particularly in departments like El Cauca, Putumayo, Nariño, and Valle del Cauca, witnesses a lethal mix of factors, leading to years of violent conflicts affecting the civilian population. The IACHR report sheds light on the alarming fact that the majority of violence in 2023 targeted environmental defenders, Indigenous, and Afro-descendant leaders.

Cauca, recording the highest number of defender murders in 2023 (16), experiences daily clashes between the National Liberation Army (ELN) and Estado Mayor Central (EMC), specifically the dissident Jaime Martínez and Dagoberto Ramos columns. Indigenous communities, particularly the Nasa people, bear the brunt of these conflicts, leading to a heartbreaking toll on human lives.

South of Cauca, Putumayo stands as the second most violent department, where the Carolina Ramírez Front continues its forced recruitments and clashes despite a bilateral ceasefire. The region, neglected by the state and impoverished, witnesses nine human rights defenders losing their lives in 2023, showcasing the dire situation.

Nariño, the third-deadliest department, faces heightened violence due to its status as the highest producer of coca crops. Armed groups such as the EMC, Second Marquetalia, and ELN vie for territorial control, resulting in mass displacements and increased casualties among the civilian population.

What the Numbers Reveal Beyond Colombia?

While Colombia takes the lead in the grim statistics, the IACHR's report highlights the broader panorama of violence against human rights defenders in the Americas. A total of 126 defenders were murdered in 2023, with Colombia, Brazil, Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, and Peru among the countries facing severe challenges.

The IACHR, emphasizing the urgent need to combat impunity, recommends thorough, serious, and impartial investigations by the governments involved. The lack of an independent judiciary is identified as a major obstacle to addressing impunity. The IACHR also urges governments to adopt an intersectional gender and racial/ethnic approach to addressing these crimes and implementing reparations for victims' families.