Front Line welcomes the release of the five human rights defenders on 8 April 2005, after they were abducted on 31 March 2005. Armed gunmen, identifying themselves as members of the guerrilla group Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia (FARC), simultaneously entered two humanitarian zones in the Jiguiamiando and Curvarado River Basins and removed the five defenders who had been working with Afro-descendent communities in these areas.
Also, in recent years these communities have been victim to repeated death threats and human rights violations committed by army-backed paramilitary forces operating in the area. The organisation itself has previously received death threats against members, including Danilo Rueda, National Co-ordinator. Danilo Rueda was forced into temporary exile in 2003 due to threats on his life.
Since the release of the five human rights defenders, Danilo Rueda and other members of the organisation have reportedly been followed and watched by armed men. Front Line remains concerned for the safety of the organisations members.
