IACHR grants precautionary measures to journalist and community leader William Stiven Rojas Rincon in Colombia

September 25, 2024

Washington, DC—On September 19, 2024, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) issued Resolution 65/2024 granting precautionary measures to William Stiven Rojas Rincon and his family in Colombia, whose rights it found to be at grave and urgent risk of suffering irreparable harm.

According to the request received by the IACHR, William Stiven Rojas Rincon has been receiving death threats via text messages and social media. He has also been followed by unidentified individuals on motorcycles and by an unmarked vehicle. These incidents have reportedly been occurring as a direct consequence of his work as a journalist and social and community leader.

Although the situation has been reported to state authorities, little progress has been made on investigations. On July 9, 2024, Colombia's National Protection Unit (UNP) classified William Stiven Rojas Rincon as facing extraordinary risk and extended limited measures. On July 17, 2024, a subsequent court ruling ordered that his security arrangement be expanded and a new risk assessment undertaken. The request reported that there have been shortfalls in implementing existing protection measures and that the risk assessment has not been updated as ordered.

The Colombian state responded with information on ongoing efforts to conduct the risk analysis and also detailed the security resources provided by the UNP in response to the court ruling, explaining that the risk assessment process is still being reviewed by the Technical Body for Risk Analysis (CTAR). The IACHR was informed that the beneficiary has been provided with a bulletproof vest, a communication device, a security escort, and transportation support.

After examining the facts and legal allegations, the IACHR took into consideration the beneficiary's work as a journalist and community leader, the ongoing risk he has faced, the lack of thorough investigations into the situations described above, and the absence of adjustments or updated risk assessments needed to tailor the protection measures needed more effectively, given the current situation in Colombia. As a result, in accordance with article 25 of the Rules of Procedure, the IACHR requested that the State of Colombia

1. take the necessary measures to protect the beneficiaries' rights to life and personal integrity, in accordance with the relevant international standards and obligations;
2. take the necessary measures to ensure that William Stiven Rojas Rincon can continue his work as a journalist and human rights defender without fear of threats, intimidation, harassment, or other forms of violence;
3. agree on the protective measures to be implemented in consultation with the beneficiaries; and
4. report on the steps taken to investigate the allegations that led to the granting of these precautionary measures, with the aim of preventing similar occurrences in the future.

The granting of these precautionary measures and their implementation by the State does not constitute a decision on any petitions that may be filed with the inter-American system concerning violations of rights protected by the American Convention on Human Rights and other applicable instruments.

The IACHR is a principal and autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), whose mandate stems from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has the mandate to promote the observance and defense of human rights in the region and acts as an advisory body to the OAS on the matter. The IACHR is made up of seven independent members who are elected by the OAS General Assembly in their personal capacity, and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 221/24

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