Between 2016 and 2024, as a result of the investigative work of the Office of the Attorney General, convictions were issued in 217 cases of homicides against this population requiring special protection. 22% of the sentences were achieved in 2024.
The Attorney General, Luz Adriana Camargo Garzón; and the Deputy Attorney, Gilberto Javier Guerrero Díaz, presented the report on investigations and prosecution of crimes against human rights defenders, before representatives of civil society organizations, and national and international entities, in compliance with the order issued by the Constitutional Court in judgment SU 546 of 2023, which declared the unconstitutional status quo due to the persistent, serious and generalized violation of the fundamental rights of leaders and defenders of human rights.
In her speech, the Attorney General, in addition to recognizing the progress made, she also spoke about the barriers that hinder the presence of the institution in certain territories, especially those with high levels of violence; and emphasized the need to strengthen access to justice and improve the relationship with victims to guarantee a more efficient and transparent judicial process.
Moreover, she stressed that investigations should not only focus on the prosecution of those responsible, but also on the analysis of the structural reasons of violence against leaders and defenders. In this way, she reaffirmed her commitment to improve investigation methodologies and develop strategies to guarantee the protection and access to justice of those who protect human rights in Colombia.
Figures of homicides of social leaders and human rights defenders
From January 1st 2016 to December 31st 2024, the institution learned about 1,372 cases of homicide of social leaders and human rights defenders. About 1,322 facts, involving 1,381 victims, are investigated by the Office of the Attorney General; 26 are handled by the Special Indigenous Jurisdiction and the remained cases by other authorities.
The largest number of incidents are against different leaders: communal leaders (373 facts), indigenous (219), community leaders (223), peasants (119) and Afro-descendants (49).
The 68% of the criminal acts which are addressed by the Attorney General’s Office occurred in rural areas of the country, where there is a notable presence of criminal organizations. In this sense, five departments concentrate 52% of the homicides against these people (Cauca, Antioquia, Valle del Cauca, Nariño and Norte de Santander).
Investigative progress on crimes against leaders and defenders
Between January 2016 and December 2024, and as a result of the investigative activity of the Attorney General’s Office, trial judges issued 217 convictions for homicides. Among those responsible for these crimes, 20 were the masterminds, that is, those who ordered the execution of the facts. In 2024, the highest number of convictions was reached with 22% of the total, which represents 49 cases.
Concerning the 1,322 homicides known by the Attorney General’s Office, 527 accusations were made, that is, 40%. In this case, the people allegedly responsible have already been identified and linked to judicial proceedings.
Regarding the accusations, 472 have been made against members of armed groups such as the FARC dissidents, the ELN and the so-called ‘Clan del Golfo’. In 256 cases, an indictment has already been filed and in 126 cases, there are guilty verdicts.
Threats and other crimes against defenders and leaders
The Office of the Attorney General is monitoring threats against leaders and defenders. For these attacks committed between 2018 and 2024, there are 26 guilty verdicts and 52 summons to trial.
Regarding sexual violence, between 2016 and 2024, there were 74 cases, 35 of which are in the inquiry stage, 1 in the investigation stage, 8 in trial, 3 in the execution of sentences and 27 are inactive.
Concerning femicides, 14 criminal facts occurred in this same period, 3 of which were inactive, 4 under inquiry, 4 in trial and 3 more in the execution of sentences.
In regard to forced disappearances, there are 40 facts under inquiries, 14 in the investigation stage, 6 in trial and 4 in the execution of sentences.
The information contained in this press release corresponds to the narration of the objective news provided by the officials in charge of carrying out criminal investigations within the Office of the Attorney General. By the time this communication is disclosed, the legal status of the people mentioned is still pending to be resolved by the competent judicial authority, always under the presumption of innocence contemplated by Article 29 of the Political Constitution and Article 7 of Law 906 of 2004.