United Nations, Feb 20 (RHC)-- The United Nations Agency for Refugees has expressed concern over the displacement of more than 800 campesinos and indigenous communities in the north-eastern region of Bajo Cauca, Antioquia over the past month.  According to the communique, at least 822 people including 361 minors from the rural communities living near the town of Caceres have been forced to leave because of the growing number of homicides since at least January 19th.

“In Baja Cauca, we have observed human rights abuses such as threats and attacks against the life and integrity of civilians, violations of economic, social and cultural rights, affecting principles and ancestral traditions of the Indigenous Senu tribe on their territory,” read the statement.

The organization urged the state to properly implement measures that would effectively protect civilian lives, assessing that “so far, the measures haven't been enough to prevent new forms of violence.”  Over 7,4 million people in Colombia have been victims of forced displacement across the country, a majority campesinos, indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities.