HIGHLIGHTS OF RESULTS Rebuilding conflict-torn communities in Colombia In Colombia’s violent heyday, even uttering the words “human rights” was unthinkable. Even having a cell phone could get you killed. For decades, community leaders were suspicious of authority and feared for their lives. That was the Colombia of conflict, of paramilitaries and Marxist guerrillas, shuttered schools and terrified teachers, child labour and forced recruitment. Today, the path to peace is opening up. A treaty with the FARC, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, has ended a major source of armed opposition and while others remain, people in the Serranía de San Lucas, a rural gold-mining corner of Antioquia Province, are becoming less fearful. “Now we have conciliators – we don’t need to have armed people anymore,” said Lina Viloria, leader of a community group that supports victims of sexual violence. “The paramilitaries or guerrillas would take our money or put us against one another. Now, we go everywhere, we are not afraid.” This unification is taking place in large part through the Network of Human Rights Trainers, established by UN Human Rights to teach more than 50 human rights defenders how to develop strategies, build new skills and feel more free and secure. Each member represents a group that fights for causes ranging from women’s equality or ending child labour to environmental protection or land rights. “We believe that by raising awareness in communities and helping them establish their own voice and do their own advocacy, that will help them add pressure over the longer term to demand change,” said Kevin Turner, who coordinates the work of UN Human Rights in Medellín, Colombia’s second-largest city. “We provide a platform for these groups and the space for them to grow more confident. And our presence helps guarantee their safety.” The foothills of the Serranía San Lucas, where a river runs quietly and trees sway gently, saw some of the worst human rights abuses. “Conflict was generalized throughout this area, neighbour against neighbour,” said Amada Mejía, a member of the network. “Many innocents died simply because they were caught between groups. Their bodies were dumped into the river by the thousands.” She waved towards the flowing water. The terror has given way to laughter and song and neighbours are becoming friends again as they face the challenges of rebuilding their communities. “As trust grew, we knew we had to tell our story to others. So we learned how to communicate with pictures and cameras,” said Manuel Tovar of the Communications Collective for the Right to Land, one of the network’s member groups. “At first we couldn’t even take anyone’s picture without getting into trouble.” Starting with a just motorcycle and a camera, Manuel and his friends scouted the countryside, filming problems and solutions and showing their films in villages – when they were allowed to. They took pictures of endangered species and mercury poisoning and illegal mining. They interviewed locals and held workshops about poverty and jobs. They spoke out against the forced recruitment of children into armed gangs. And people listened. Their work attracted attention and they were nominated for a national prize for defending human rights. By using radio, photography and video, they encouraged others to speak up about the problems their communities faced. They have added a human rights dimension to Lina Viloria and Orlando Pabuena, members of the human rights defenders network in El Bagre. © OHCHR/J.D. Cortés 42 UN HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT 2017