Human rights defender Mr Rogelio Martínez was killed on 18 May 2010 in San Onofre, Sucre, Colombia. Rogelio Martínez was a member of the Sucre branch of the Movimiento de Víctimas de Crímenes de Estado – MOVICE (Movement of Victims of State Crimes).

Further Information

On 18 May 2010, at approximately 6pm, Rogelio Martínez was travelling by motorbike to his home, at the “El Alemania” plantation when he was knocked from his motorbike and assassinated by a group of hooded men, all of whom were dressed in black.

The “El Alemania” plantation in which Rogelio Martínez resided had been infiltrated by paramilitaries in 1997, subsequent to being handed over to the Instituto Colombiano de Reforma Agraria – Incora (Colombian Institute of Agrarian Reform).

As a result of paramilitary operations in the area, the resident families were displaced in 2000. Just under two years ago, Rogelio Martínez had returned to the area and, since then, had reportedly been subjected to regular threats and intimidation from paramilitary agents, who accused him of being responsible for the return of inhabitants to the area and collaboration with leftist guerrillas.

Members of the Sucre branch of MOVICE have been subjected to constant threats and attacks as a result of their work in attempting to expose paramilitary influence in local politics and campaigning on behalf of victims.

According to MOVICE, its members in Sucre have been subjected to over 50 acts of aggression since its formation in 2006 including, inter alia, assassinations, attacks, illegal raids, direct and indirect threats, and intimidation.

Front Line previously issued urgent appeals on 8 February 2010 in relation to threats and intimidation against MOVICE activists Juan David Díaz Chamorro and Ingrid Vergara, and, on 24 April 2010, concerning death threats issued against MOVICE and over 60 organisations and individuals by the paramilitary organisation 'Los Rastrojos'.

Front Line believes that the killing of Rogelio Martínez was a direct result of his legitimate work in defence of human rights. Front Line sees this as part of an ongoing campaign of defamation, threats, harassment and attacks against MOVICE. Front Line is gravely concerned for the safety of MOVICE activists.