Last year 340.000 more people were displaced by fighting between the Colombian Army and the FARC or because of threats delivered by one of the many illegal armed groups or drug gangs in the country, says the Norwegian Refugee Counsil, and NGO monitoring the status of the amount of refugees.The 4 million figure was based on estimates of the Consultancy for Human Rights and Displacement (CODHES), and differs from the calculations of the government, that counted 2.38 million displaced in January 2008. “But the government itself acknowledges that there is a 30 percent of under reporting of displacement,” Arild Birkenes, author of the Latin American chapter of the report to Spanish press agency EFE.Colombia was the only American country with a growing problem of internal displacement in 2007. The displaced population continued to suffer a lack of protection, says the IMDC report.”In Colombia there is a contradiction. The country has one of the most advanced laws on behalf of the displaced and respect for international principles, but there is a lack of implementation of this legislation,” said Elisabeth Rasmusson, Secretary General of the Norwegian Council of Refugees.
Colombia Reports relies on your financial support. Please become our patron and support independent reporting from Colombia.