Amnesty International urges Colombia to protect young people whose names appear on paramilitary death lists on the social media website Facebook.
Three young men have been killed since the two lists were published a month ago
The list was issued after the murders of two police officers in Puerto Asis, Putumayo, for which the FARC is blamed. Those on the list are told to leave the area or they will be killed.
“The authorities must do all they can to protect the people named on the death list,” said Marcelo Pollack of Amnesty International. “They must also order a full and impartial investigation into the three killings and bring those responsible to justice.”
Amnesty International said details of the names are unknown. Some on the list are believed to be petty criminals or prostitutes, while others are thought to be community activists.
The first two young men that appeared on the list of 65 were shot dead by gunman on motorcycles riding on a road outside Puerto Asis on August 15. A third man on the list was also killed by a motorcycle gunman on August 20. Another person on the list was shot and injured. Following this, a list of 31 young women was released.
Some of those named on the death lists report receiving threatening telephone calls, and many of the young people have fled with their families.
“This is an unacceptable situation and the Colombian authorities must put an end to the killing by immediately dismantling paramilitary groups in accordance with commitments made by the government and recommendations made by the UN,” said Marcelo Pollack.
