United Nations Radio

Three United Nations human rights experts have called on the government of Colombia to urgently take measure to protect human rights activists in the country.

In a statement issued today, Hina Jilani, Phillip Alston and Leandro Despouy express their deep concern about the deteriorating situation of human rights defenders in the country.

They note that in the first months of this year, more than 20 trade unionists and leaders of civil society have been killed and dozens of others have received deaths threats from illegal armed groups.

The experts say the recent threats and attacks have mainly been directed at organizers of and participants in the March 6 rally to honour victims of paramilitary groups and protest against crimes committed by State actors.

The United Nations human rights experts stressed the need for concrete and concerted action to stop "the endemic impunity" for the crimes and violations committed against human rights defenders in Colombia.

Diane Bailey, United Nations Radio.

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