A/HRC/4/48 page 10 30. An institutional response to the victims, with a differentiated and gender-sensitive approach, remains a significant challenge for the authorities. The legal procedures initiated against the demobilized fighters showed that the mechanisms for guaranteeing the rights of the victims of paramilitary crimes are insufficient. The Attorney-General’s Office has stated that it is essential for the Government to regulate the participation of the victims in such procedures. The National Unit for Justice and Peace, set up by that Office, reported having received information from approximately 25,000 victims relating to an estimated 100,000 criminal acts attributed to paramilitary groups. 31. The National Commission on Reparation and Reconciliation, established in the context of the Justice and Peace Law for a period of eight years, has made progress in setting up regional commissions and a regional care network for victims. With the support of the international community, a register of victims and their organizations is being compiled. A working group was set up to prepare a public report on the rise and development of the illegal armed groups, and it was determined that the gender and population approaches will be cross-cutting components of all of the Commission’s areas of work. 32. It will be necessary to strengthen the mechanisms for giving information to victims, and to take measures to ensure their effective participation in legal proceedings against the perpetrators. 33. In view of the need to consolidate a reintegration policy that will make it possible to give demobilized persons effective possibilities of taking part in civilian life, at the end of 2006 the High Presidential Advisory Office for the social and economic reintegration of insurgent persons and groups made progress in reformulating a long-term strategy that is not paternalistic in nature, takes into consideration collaboration with the communities, and has a differentiated approach according to region, age and gender. Some local authorities, in particular those of Medellín and Bogotá, made more systematic efforts to respond to the reintegration needs of demobilized persons. IV. HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION7 34. The context of violence and armed conflict in Colombia continued to affect the enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms, and to hinder the activities of the authorities in the areas of prevention and protection. The human rights situation remains critical in several regions of the country and is characterized by numerous and frequent violations of the rights to life and personal integrity, freedom and security, and the right to due process and judicial guarantees. The Ombudsman’s Office recorded an increase in complaints of human rights violations attributed to members of the security forces, especially the army and the police. This situation particularly affected members of indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities, social leaders, human rights defenders, peasants, women, children, union members, journalists and 7 Human rights violations are understood to be actions and omissions that affect rights contained in international instruments when they are committed by public servants or by private individuals with the acquiescence of the authorities.