E/CN.4/1995/111 page 12 identification badges or insignia, making it almost impossible for the victims of, or witnesses to, such abuses to identify those responsible. This practice was noted with concern by the Procuraduría in its already mentioned report. 16/ 33. The Special Rapporteurs also received numerous reports concerning abuses against the civilian population committed by members of the different armed insurgent groups. Peasants are said to be forced to provide the guerrilla with food and money. If they refuse to fulfil these demands, they are regarded by the guerrilla as collaborators of the security forces and killed. They may also be forced under threats to leave the area. It was also reported that members of the security forces captured in combat are very often executed. Moreover, former combatants who have sought reinsertion into civilian life have reportedly been targeted by their former comrades in arms. The guerrilla groups themselves frequently acknowledge such killings, known as "ajusticiamientos", and publicize them, apparently with a "deterrent purpose". 34. The case of Urabá is particularly dramatic. In this region, members of the dissident faction of the EPL and of the FARC were said to have killed former EPL members who had laid down their arms under the 1991 peace agreement with the Government, as well as trade union leaders and activists of Esperanza, Paz y Libertad. This, in turn, was said to have provoked reprisal killings by members of the latter. During 1993, more than 100 persons were said to have lost their lives in this conflict. In addition, the armed insurgent groups continue to use terrorism and resort to kidnapping in order to obtain money to finance their activities and, to a lesser extent, for political reasons. 35. In certain areas, the guerrilla groups are said to have replaced the State administration and exercise complete control. This is viewed as a complicating factor in peace negotiations with the remaining active guerrilla groups: the question is no longer that of convincing them just to hand in their arms and halt the fighting, but to give up, in addition to lucrative sources of income, power and control over these areas. 36. More than 130 paramilitary groups, referred to by some as "private justice" groups, continue to operate throughout Colombia, even though the legal basis for civilian armed groups, Law No. 48 of 1968, was revoked by Decree No. 815 of 1988. 17/ The first such groups were said to have been established by large landholders to defend themselves against the economic exigencies of the guerrilla and to protect their economically and socially predominant positions. They operate mainly in the following areas: in the north of Antioquia and Córdoba; the Magdalena Medio; the department of Meta and neighbouring regions of Casanare and Boyacá; Valle del Cauca. They are also present, although in a more limited way, in the departments of Putumayo, Arauca and in the south of César. 37. According to the information received, there have never been serious attempts on the part of the security forces to restrain the activities of such groups or to dismantle and disarm them. On the contrary, the military began to cooperate with self-defence groups, considering them as useful allies in the common interest of fighting the armed insurgency. In some regions, such as the Magdalena Medio, armed groups were said to have been trained in