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Nelson Orrego

HRD, journalist

Nelson Orrego has been working as a journalist with Periferia Prensa Alternativa (Periferia Alternative Press) since 2009, and has investigated and published various articles relating to victims of crimes carried out by paramilitary and drug-trafficking groups.

Columbia

HRDs in Colombia work in a violent and unsafe environment. They are subjected to threats, intimidation, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, physical assaults, torture, killings, illegal searches of their homes and offices and stigmatisation as a result of their activities in defence of human rights. The perpetrators of these abuses are frequently paramilitary groups, many of whom have links to the government or security services, or armed opposition groups. The continued frequent and severe threats and attacks against HRDs around the country contradict government claims of paramilitary demobilisation.