At least 122 human rights defenders were killed in the first 7 months of the year in Colombia, AFP reported, citing the Ombudsman's office.

This is more than the number of human rights defenders killed during the same period in 2021, when 90 were killed. By the end of 2021, the number of victims had reached 145. Of those killed this year, 22 were indigenous leaders.

A Colombian criminal group has announced a unilateral ceasefire

The murders of public leaders and human rights defenders are a serious attack on communities and democracy.

These people are the representatives and voice of the most vulnerable, Ombudsman Carlos Camargo emphasized in a communique.

The most common perpetrators of these crimes are separatists from the rebel group FARC, guerrillas from the National Liberation Army, paramilitary organizations and drug traffickers.

According to NGOs, however, activists are also being victimized by members of Colombia's security forces.

Colombia