OHCHR COLOMBIA CONDEMNS KILLINGS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

Bogotá, 4 April -- The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Colombia has condemned the murder of two local government councilors, allegedly by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - People’s Army (FARC-EP) and the National Liberation Army (ELN).

José Manuel Roa Montañez, municipal council president of Arauquita, Arauca department, and of Gerardo Amaya Amaya, council member of Coromoro, Santander department, were killed on 3 April. A neighbour of Mr. Amaya was also killed.

OHCHR Colombia recalled that the High Commissioner for Human Rights has repeatedly called on members of illegal armed groups to respect the right to life of all civilians and to refrain from targeting civilians at all times.

Website of OHCHR Colombia: www.hchr.org.co