The United Nations Commission on Human Rights (OHCHR) in Colombia Friday demanded the country's authority to investigate the assassination of two guild leaders, a politician and an activist, among others, the commission reported.
The commission called the Colombian prosecution authorities to immediately investigate the death of guild members Leonidas Gomez and Carlos Burbano, in the capital of Bogota and in the southern Caqueta department, respectively, as well as the murder of politician Manuel Reina in February.
"Most of these killings are not known by the public despite their strong impact and serious consequences in the communities where these people worked and in their respective organizations," said the OHCHR.
On Feb. 28, Human Rights Permanent Defense Committee (CPDDH) member Luz Gonzalez was attacked for promoting a solidarity walk with victims of the extreme right-wing paramilitaries.
The OHCHR called the prosecution authorities to investigate the attack against Gonzalez and the assassination of her colleague Edgar Molina, on Feb. 23 in Algeciras in the southwestern Huila department.
The OHCHR's human rights defenders also expressed concern that leaders working for victims of right-wing paramilitary troops had received threats for their support to the March 6 protest in Colombia and other countries.
Colombian officials must guarantee prompt and efficient protection to human rights advocates and to leaders of social organizations, the OHCHR said.
(Xinhua News Agency March 15, 2008)
