Colombia: new security model for land claimants

The flamboyant Colombian police chief General José Roberto León, announced today that it will implement a new security model for claimants of land in the country, within the framework of the Act called Victims.

In this regard, León said the police devised a plan that increases rural security measures to protect the plaintiffs, stripped of their land by gangs and illegal armed groups.

He explained that the strategy has 16 points that will be implemented depending on the region and the security problems that arise in each sector.

According to NGOs, since 2.005 there have been more than 70 murders of leaders of land claimants, of which over 40 percent were murdered between 2.010 and 2.011.

Meanwhile, this year the threats and attacks to impede the restoration of land has increased dramatically.

Moreover, since 2.007 have been killed over 400 thousand displaced, while in 200 reports of harassment or investigating a threat, according to reports.

For various social organizations and human rights these facts demonstrate the lack of real guarantees for land claimants in the country and puts into question the Victim Restitution Act of Lands.

They believe that the standard lacks a comprehensive restoration and effective protection measures, because beyond the physical measures, the state must confront and dismantle paramilitary groups and prosecute the political and economic sectors that support them.

On the other hand, León said another priority will be urban security, where seeks to reduce the rate of homicides, robberies and sexual assaults.

It also stated that it will create more offices of internal affairs and that more agents will have to present polygraph evidence in search of greater transparency.

León took the day before the National Police headquarters in the hands of General "scar Naranjo, who was appointed in 2.010 as" Best World Police "during a meeting of commanders of security agencies in Canadá.