Colombia: record numbers of assassinations of social and political leaders on the rise

Audio 7:30 p.m.

Demonstrations took place in July 2019 against the assassination of social leaders in Colombia. (illustration photo) CHRISTIAN ESCOBARMORA / AFP

By: Najet Benrabaa Follow

Today, the Grand Reportage takes us to Colombia. The UN, the United Nations, is sounding the alarm about the number of assassinations of social and political leaders in the Andean country. 

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Since the signing of the peace agreements in 2016, each year, even each month, the number of assassinations has continued to increase. These are new historical records. According to UN reports, 107 human rights defenders were killed last year (2019) in Colombia; Another 13 cases reported in 2019 are still being investigated. This year, only between January and April, there is a further increase of 54%.
However, the Colombian government has launched a national protection program. It is clear that this is not enough.
Our correspondent in Medellin, Najet Benrabaa went to meet these threatened leaders. 

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