Rejecting recent threats received against Yessika Hoyos Morales, human rights lawyer and president of CCAJAR (Colombia)

The José Alvear Restrepo Lawyer Collective (CCAJAR) has been the target of multiple threats, harassment, raids, and attacks, putting the lives and integrity of human rights advocates at risk with the intention of impeding their work. That is why the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) is upholding protective orders in favour of all CCAJAR members.

On 22 January 2024, the current organisation president Yessika Hoyos Morales received a text message that read as follows: “We see you're still supporting that guerilla scum in Girardot from Alfonso. This is the second time you've been told not to stick your nose where it doesn't belong, or you might end up the same way as his son”. This is the third time that lawyer Yessika Hoyos has been threatened for events relating to the Massacre of Mondoñedo, despite her no longer representing the victims before the Special Jurisdiction of Peace (JEP).

We at the Hegoa Institute demand the Office of the Public Prosecutor launch urgent, immediate, exhaustive, and impartial investigations that help determine the parties responsible, and take effective measure to guarantee the life and integrity of lawyer Yessika Hoyos Morales.

In a letter sent to the Office of the President, the Ministry of the Interior, and Office of the Public Prosecutor, Hegoa urges the Colombian State to provide all guarantees to defend human rights and help put an end to the attacks and threats received by human rights advocates. 

Find more information on the CCAJAR Collective website. Read the full letter here.