Statement from the Presidency of the European Union.

The European Union expresses its deep concern following the violent killing of Mr Edwin Legarda, husband of Ms Aida Quilcué, leader of the Cauca Regional Council of Indigenous People (CRIC).

The European Union takes note of the statement issued by Colombia’s Minister of Defence, in which he acknowledged that members of the National Colombian Army had fired at a vehicle driven by Mr Legarda on a departmental road in Cauca and in which he announced the willingness of authorities in Colombia to investigate the circumstances in which this event took place.

The European Union is asking the Colombian authorities to continue their efforts so that the truth about the circumstances of this man’s death can be speedily found and that those responsible be judged and punished.

It wishes to support the recommendations sent by the United Nations to Colombia and it calls on the authorities to put in place adequate measures providing guarantees of protection to leaders and organisations involved in the rights of the indigenous populations in the department of Cauca, as exists elsewhere in the country. In general, the European Union is calling on the Colombian authorities to provide protection for human rights defenders in Colombia and to take on the responsibilities expected of states regarding the UN declaration on human rights defenders.

The European Union wishes to convey to Mrs Quilcué and her family its deepest sympathy and its support.