“It is heartbreaking that in the face of such a situation, state entities such as the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) and the National Protection Unit (UNP), in charge of provide protection measures to social leaders and defenders of human and environmental rights whothat we make up the Movement, decide to “adjust” such measures by completely withdrawing protection schemes, changing armored vehicles for conventional ones, reducing the number of protection men, among others, ignoring that, during this government, threats increased as well as murders and attacks,” they argue in the letter.
Likewise, the collective He stated that the women leaders have been violated by the bodyguards themselves. Specifically, they warn that President Milena Flórez was a victim of machismo, a fact that goes against the purposes of the UNP.
Finally, They demanded the protection of their lives from the State. “We demand protection, we urgently call on the JEP and the UNP to provide all the necessary security guarantees to protect the life and physical integrity of the members of the Ríos Vivos Movement, since we find ourselves in a situation of high level of risk and eliminating or reducing protection measures are decisions that not only increase the risk but also hold these entities responsible for what may happen to us as social and environmental leaders,” the statement concluded.
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