(ANSA) - BOGOTÀ, JANUARY 17 - At least 145 human rights defenders were murdered in Colombia in 2021: a low figure compared to the previous year but which confirms the escalation of violence in the country since the 2016 peace agreement, according to the office of the Defender of the people.
In 2021, "145 murders of social leaders or human rights defenders were recorded", said the public body that monitors respect for human rights in the country in a press release. In 2020, 182 homicides were recorded. According to the People's Defender, 32 indigenous representatives, 16 leading peasants and seven trade unionists are among the victims of 2021.
"We condemn these facts, mainly due to the criminal actions of illegal armed groups," said defender Carlos Camargo, without giving details of the alleged perpetrators of these attacks.
Since the signing of the peace agreement with the guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) in 2016, murders against social leaders have been recurring. Social organizations accuse dissidents of the Farc, fighters of the National Liberation Army (ELN) - the last active guerrilla in Colombia - drug traffickers and paramilitary groups of being behind the killings.
Three departments are particularly affected: Antioquia, Caucae Valle del Cauca, drug trafficking corridors.
Colombia is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for activists, according to several NGOs.
Global Witness identified it as the deadliest for environmental defenders (65 died in 2020).
The government of Conservative President Ivan Duque accuses drug gangs of being behind the killings.
Colombia, the world's largest producer of cocaine, is experiencing the worst peak of violence since the signing of the 2016 peace agreement. (ANSA).