The OHCHR Asks Colombia to Protect the Nasa People

The  United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) called on the Colombian government to take action to protect the Nasa Indigenous people.

RELATED:

Petro Advocates for Peace in Palestine During Christmas Lunch

The OHCHR's office in Colombia expressed deep concern about the escalating violence in the Cauca department, where six Nasa human rights defenders have been killed this year.

It urged Colombian authorities to implement effective protection measures to ensure the safety and cultural and physical survival of the Nasa people.

The OHCHR also called on armed groups to cease killings, threats, harassment, recruitment of children, and forced displacements.

The UN Human Rights Office documented six homicides of Nasa authorities, leaders, or human rights defenders this year, with the most recent incident occurring on December 24 when Indigenous Guard member Eliecer Chocue was shot.

The OHCHR also condemned the forced use and recruitment of children by armed groups and criticized armed conflicts taking place within civilian populations.

It reiterated the obligation of armed actors to respect international humanitarian law and human rights, particularly the rights of ethnic groups, including their autonomy and self-governance.

Furthermore, the UN office called on the Colombian government to fulfill its obligation to guarantee the human rights of the population and work with ethnic authorities to develop a protection plan for their lives, culture, and territory.