A/HRC/4/48
page 33
49.
In the course of clashes between the FARC-EP and the ELN in Arauca, members of one
or other of these armed groups threatened peasants, local officials and other public servants. In
Arauquita, teachers serving in urban and rural areas were threatened.
B. Attacks against the civilian population and indiscriminate attacks
50.
Members of the illegal groups continued to flout the humanitarian principles of
limitation, differentiation and proportionality by launching attacks on the civilian population and
indiscriminate attacks.
51.
In Tame (Arauca) on 28 November, guerrillas from the FARC-EP fired on four people
who were travelling in a vehicle in a rural area. The incident led to the serious wounding of one
of the passengers and his 10-month-old son.
52.
In Montebonito (Caldas) on 4 March, members of the FARC-EP attacked the police
station, launching cylinder-bombs, throwing grenades and firing rifles and machine guns without
making any attempt to protect civilians. The attack left 3 civilians dead, including one
6-month-old baby, and another 11 people wounded.
53.
The Office received reports of attacks by army personnel against civilians. In Jambaló
(Cauca) on 16 September, members of the “Pichincha” Battalion allegedly launched a grenade
that exploded 40 metres from the place where over 2,500 members of indigenous communities
were celebrating the “Day of Love and Friendship”. According to the Office’s investigation, in
the attack a 5-year-old boy was killed and several other people seriously wounded. There was
also a report that, in Hoyos del Patía (Cauca) on 25 September, after a bomb had gone off killing
two soldiers, the military fired on a group of young men playing football, killing one of them.
54.
Several indiscriminate attacks were recorded, all attributed to members of the FARC-EP.
In San Vicente del Caguán (Caquetá) on 6 March, when guerrillas attacked an army patrol with
explosives, they killed three civilians, including one child, and wounded seven others.
55.
The Office also learned that, during the run-up to the elections in March, several
indiscriminate attacks were attributed to members of the FARC-EP. In the village of
Ospina Pérez, Ricaurte (Nariño), on 12 March, guerrillas harassing the security forces caused
damage to the school, the chapel and 12 private homes.
56.
Responsibility for indiscriminate attacks was also attributed to members of the ELN. In
Pasto (Nariño) on 14 January, guerrillas from this group used gas cylinders loaded with scrap
metal to attack “Boyacá” Battalion installations in the centre of the city, damaging the homes of
approximately 80 civilian families.
C. Acts of terrorism
57.
During the period covered by the present report, the OHCHR Office recorded several
acts of terrorism attributed to members of illegal armed groups, especially the FARC-EP.
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