IACHR grants precautionary measures in favor of three members of the CONPAZCOL association in Colombia

December 2, 2025

Washington, DC—The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) issued Resolution 89/2025 on November 30, 2025, to grant precautionary measures in favor of L.E.C.V., J.E.M., and D.F.P.M—members of the leadership of the Association of Afro-descendant, Indigenous, and Peasant Communities Building Peace in Colombia (CONPAZCOL)—in the belief that they face a serious, urgent risk of suffering irreparable harm to their rights to life and personal integrity.

According to the request for these precautionary measures, the beneficiaries are at risk based on their work in defense of human rights in rural and urban areas affected by armed conflict. The request mentions constant tracking by armed individuals; intimidation involving firearms in public places; explicit death threats; armed clashes; explosions in nearby areas; threatening graffiti; and attempted arson at a facility linked to CONPAZCOL. So far, the State has not implemented sufficient effective protection measures in the beneficiaries’ favor.

The State stressed its commitment to continuing to make arrangements in the framework of these precautionary measures. The State said that preventive action had been taken, in the form of courses, patrols, and educational campaigns.

After assessing the legal and factual allegations made by the parties, the IACHR noted that the protection measures in place are not appropriate to address the risks faced by one of the beneficiaries. The other two beneficiaries allegedly do not have a State protection scheme in place. In these circumstances, the IACHR found that L.E.C.V., J.E.M., and D.F.P.M face a serious, urgent risk of suffering irreparable harm to their rights. Consequently, in keeping with Article 25 of its Rules of Procedure, the IACHR asked the State of Colombia to take the following action:

1. Adopt any measures necessary to protect the beneficiaries’ rights to life and personal integrity
2. Take any measures necessary to enable the beneficiaries to do their work as human rights defenders without being subjected to threats, harassment, or any other acts of violence for doing such work
3. Come to an agreement with the beneficiaries and their representatives concerning any measures that need to be taken
4. Report on any action taken to investigate the alleged events that gave rise to the adoption of these precautionary measures, in order to prevent such events from happening again in the future

The fact that these precautionary measures have been granted and their adoption by the State of Colombia do not entail a prejudgment on a potential petition that may be filed before the inter-American system to allege violations of rights protected by the applicable instruments.

The IACHR is an autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS) whose mandate is based on the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. Its mission is to promote and defend human rights throughout the Americas and to serve as an advisory body to the OAS in this area. The IACHR consists of seven independent members elected by the OAS General Assembly who serve in a personal capacity and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 249/25

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