In the department of Valle del Cauca 27 human rights defenders have been murdered. | Photo: Colprensa

United Nations, September 17 (RHC)-- The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Colombia reported Thursday a follow-up report on murders of human rights defenders in Colombia, where it warns of systematic killings.

The report states that in the period of time from January to August 2021, at least 143 complaints of murders have been reported of which 52 cases have been verified and 26 are in the process of verification.

Of the confirmed cases, there have been five women of which three were indigenous. Of the 47 men, five belonged to Afro-Colombian communities and two to indigenous communities.

Regarding the regions, the report details that 27 human rights defenders have been murdered in the department of Valle del Cauca, followed by Cauca with five, and the departments of Antioquia and Cundinamarca with four murders each.

So far, the verified facts have been registered in 13 departments of the Colombian geography which shows how difficult it is to survive for these leaders and spokespersons for justice.

On the other hand, according to the Institute of Studies for Development and Peace (Indepaz) in Colombia until last August 29, 114 social leaders have been murdered, totaling 1,229 since the signing of the peace agreement in 2016.