Bogota, July 25 (RHC)-- The movement "Defend Peace" has called for a virtual mobilization this Sunday, July 26, to reject the assassinations of social leaders, human rights defenders (HRDs) and signatories of the Peace Agreement.

With the hashtag #ElSilencioYaNoEsUnaOpción, users who join this campaign will draw attention to the need to end the recurring scourge that has worsened in the country, which adds to other problems Colombia is going through, such as the economic, social and health crisis resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the words of sociologist and member of the Constitutionalist Women's network, Liliana Estupiñan, who will participate in the digital mobilization this Sunday, "the signing of the Peace Agreement is the best thing that has happened to the country in recent decades."  And she added: "We are indebted to Colombia and to our history.  Today I remember Maritza Quiroz, one of the first leaders to be assassinated in Colombia.  I stand up for peace." 

For her part, the artist and activist for peace, Patricia Ariza, said that "we will all mobilize digitally to repudiate this genocide," adding that she carries in her heart the community leader of Cauca, murdered in 2019 -- Maria del Pilar Hurtado.

Figures from the Institute of Studies for Development and Peace (Indepaz), indicate that since the signing of the Peace Agreement in 2016 until July 15 this year, 971 leaders and defenders have been murdered. Meanwhile, since the beginning of 2020, 166 social leaders and 36 former combatants of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - People's Army (FARC-EP) insurgency have been killed.

Against this backdrop, the Defend Peace movement, composed of leaders of various political affiliations, is promoting initiatives with the aim of defending the integrity of the peace agreement.

"This year we are going to renew this commitment to the defense of life.  To make visible the social leadership and the signatories of the Peace Agreement, to defend their lives and exalt the memory of those who have been killed.  On July 26th, different organizations, platforms and peoples of Colombia and the world will come together to honor the people and movements that have defended peace," said Defend Peace.