A/HRC/7/39 page 19 municipality of Cumbal, Nariño, in June 2007, attributed to FARC-EP. The worst affected regions are Arauca, Cauca, Chocó, Córdoba, Guajira, Nariño, Putumayo and Valle del Cauca. The intensification of the armed conflict in Buenaventura gravely affected the individual and collective rights of the Afro-Colombian population in that area. A very large number of members of the nomad group Nukak Makú - inhabitants of a region in the Department of Guaviare who, as a group, are in danger of extinction - have been displaced and are in a critical situation, needing very specific attention due to their cultural peculiarities. 58. The Government extended its comprehensive plan for the support of extremely vulnerable or endangered indigenous communities into the Departments of Cesar, Risaralda, Meta and Guajira. This is a positive step which needs to be consolidated, expressly taking into account results from studies conducted among several ethnic groups focusing on their expected life plans. 59. A plan for integral development was formulated to improve the situation of Afro-Colombians, and progress was made in regulating several articles of Law 70 of 1993 on collective land ownership. This is a process which should culminate in specific decisions arrived at after consultation with the communities themselves. 4. Human rights defenders 60. In 2007, human rights defenders - both men and women particularly rural and grassroots leaders - were murdered. In Antioquia, Casanare, Norte de Santander, Putumayo and Sucre, cases were reported in which responsibility was attributed to members of the security forces. Other cases were attributed to FARC-EP in Antioquia, Arauca, Caldas and Putumayo and to new illegal armed groups in Antioquia, Bolívar, Cesar, Córdoba, Putumayo and Valle del Cauca. Cases were recorded also of threats made against human rights defenders in Antioquia, Atlántico and Bogotá and information was stolen from the offices of human rights NGOs in Bogotá. Information was also stolen from the Regional Ombudsman’s offices in Bolívar and Santander. Some members of organizations which offer advice to the victims of paramilitary groups in the proceedings under Law 975/2005 have also received threats or been subjected to interference with their work and their work has been publicly questioned, even by State authorities, especially in Bogotá and Medellín. 61. In the course of her visit to Colombia from 7 to 9 September 2007, the High Commissioner reiterated her support for the dedicated and courageous work of men and women working as human rights defenders, and advocated for effective measures to improve their protection. The High Commissioner called for public officials to stop making statements designed to discredit human rights defenders’ work, because they might increase the danger to the defenders’ lives or personal safety. 62. The Protection Programme of the Ministry of Interior and Justice was strengthened with additional personnel and extended its coverage to new groups of beneficiaries, such as displaced persons and victims who were involved in cases under Law 975/2005. Until effective results are achieved in the investigation, processing and punishment of those responsible for the attacks on human rights defenders, however, crimes against them are unlikely to cease.