Urgent Actions: The Latest Security Concerns and Rights Violations in Colombia

Dear all,

We remain concerned about the ongoing insecurity and violence in Colombia, and its impact on human rights defenders and rural communities, especially the areas inhabited by Indigenous and Afro-descendant Colombians. 

Since our last urgent action, we took actions concerning attacks against four of our partners:

• July 16, 2024: Intimidation of the San José de Julumito Indigenous Community and Its Legal Representation Should Be Investigated
• July 8, 2024: We Condemn the Vile Attack Committed Against the Shipia Wayuu Association and Demand Justice
• July 2, 2024: Security for the IEANPE Must Be Guaranteed, and Efforts to Advance the Ethnic Chapter Redoubled
• May 22, 2024: Attack Against Maria Eugenia Riascos of CONPAZ Col and the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR)

We also responded to the June 13, 2024 W Radio report on internal military intelligence from 2004 containing false allegations of WOLA promoting the agenda of the FARC. Such false allegations place WOLA personnel at risk. We encourage the U.S. and Colombia to review the intelligence archives and purge them of false information against WOLA and other international and national non-governmental organizations.

We thank you in advance for your efforts. Please feel free to contact me at gsanchez@wola.org to discuss any of the issues raised in this letter.

Respectfully,

Gimena Sánchez-Garzoli
Director for the Andes
WOLA