Colombia must look for a political solution to the country’s violent conflict to improve the “grave and critical” situation of its indigenous people, says a UN report to be released on Thursday.
According to the UN, the situation of the country’s indigenous people has worsened, as violence in areas where indigenous live has intensified over the years.
The report slams illegal armed groups like the FARC as bearing the most responsibility for the murders, recruitment and displacement of indigenous people.
The government-promoted demobilization of paramilitary organization AUC resulted in amnesty or impunity for paramilitary fighters who are guilty of the murders of indigenous people, the report also says.
Violence by paramilitary groups, which continues despite their official disarmament, has increased and is increasingly threatening the indigenous population of Colombia, according to the report.
UN Special Rapporteur for Indigenous Peoples, James Anaya, demands that the Colombian government make more of an effort to protect indigenous leaders who are under threat from illegal armed groups.