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IACHR Condemns Murder of Colombian Activist
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) laments the murder of Ever Cordero, who chaired a participatory dialogue process for victims of displacement in the department (province) of Córdoba, Colombia.
The Commission urges the State of Colombia to increase its efforts to implement a comprehensive policy for the protection of all those who are participating in processes to assert the rights of displaced communities and other victims of the armed conflict.
According to the information that is available, Ever Cordero was a community leader who worked to bring about the restitution of lands for victims of the armed conflict.
The information the Commission received indicates that on April 9, 2013, Ever Cordero was traveling toward the urban area of Valencia, in Córdoba, when two individuals on a motorcycle intercepted him and shot him to death. According to the information received, Ever Cordero was going to Valencia to attend ceremonies and marches commemorating the National Day of Memory and Solidarity with Victims.
The following day, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos visited Córdoba and presented land titles to families who were dispossessed of their lands during the conflict.
The IACHR has been concerned about information it has been receiving about different forms of violence being perpetrated against community leaders who are participating in the land restitution process.
These include murders, attacks, and written threats, printed on fliers, targeting human rights defenders and their organizations. The IACHR has observed that these human rights defenders’ role as community leaders tends to place them at greater risk in the context of the armed conflict.
As was the case with Ever Cordero, the work carried out by community leaders who advocate for the rights of victims of displacement is an essential component for the peace process to be able to be built on the pillars of truth, justice, and comprehensive reparations.
The IACHR thus urges the State to increase its efforts to implement a comprehensive policy for the protection of leaders who are participating in processes to lay claim to the rights of displaced communities.
This comprehensive protection policy must ensure that these leaders’ rights are not affected, so that they can continue to carry out their work of defending the rights of victims of the conflict.
Published in Latino Daily News
2013-04-21 13:45:09
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