“Court rules in favor of social leaders and orders that the right to defend human rights be guaranteed” – April 3 2020

…The 45th Civil Court of the Bogotá Circuit protected the fundamental rights of a group of Colombian social justice leaders and ordered the National Government to protect their rights even in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. The decision emphasized that the fundamental rights of human rights defenders are not suspended at any time and that includes states of emergency. Therefore, the COVID-19 emergency cannot be an excuse for not complying with the orders…The judge stressed that, despite the emergency and the confinement measures, the assassination of social justice leaders continues, which could demonstrate that we are in the presence of criminal organizations that would seek the extermination of this population. The ruling recognizes a systematic failure of the State in its duty to protect the social justice leaders. This occurs because, despite the different legal instruments, the National Government fails to clearly identify risk factors and to define adequate prevention policies. The Government has not given satisfactory results in its criminal policy to offer truth, justice and reparation to leaders and victims...