Fredy Antonio Arias, Human Rights Director for the Kankuamo Indigenous Organization, was assasinated by paramilitaries while riding his bicycle on August 3, 2004 in the city of Valledupar. In his role as director, Arias had spoken out against widespread crimes committed against indigenous communities in the decades old civil war. He had also advocated for a cease fire. Since August 2002, more than sixty indigenous people have been killed as a result of conflicts between the government, FARC, and various paramilitary groups.
Following Arias' assiassination, the National Indigenous Organization of Colombia (ONIC) submitted a formal request on August 4 to other members of the G-24, an intergovermental group of 24 developing countries from Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Europe. The document asks for a pledge of solidarity from these member nations with regards to human rights abuses suffered by indigenous populations.
