Colombia: Extrajudicial killings, "disappearances", death threats and other political violence in the department of Sucre

Index Number: AMR 23/030/1996
Date Published: 31 May 1996
Categories: Americas, Colombia

There is serious concern for the safety of members of grassroots organizations and legal opposition political parties following a spate of extrajudicial executions, "disappearances" and death threats in recent months in the northern department of Sucre. Since the beginning of 1996 approximately 137 people are believed to have been the victims of killings perpetrated by the security forces and their paramilitary allies. An increase in human rights violations has coincided with an increase in the presence of the security forces, and the reinforcement of paramilitary structures operating with impunity in the region.