A/HRC/10/32 page 6 II. CONTEXT 6. Colombia remains embroiled in a complex and multifaceted internal armed conflict, which represents a persistent human rights challenge for the State and for its population. Violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by the guerrilla groups and the Colombian Armed Forces as well as the activities of illegal armed groups and drug traffickers, coupled with underlying structural problems such as inequitable distribution of wealth, discrimination against vulnerable groups and their stigmatization, impunity, and difficulties in effectively accessing justice continue to limit the full enjoyment of human rights. In this context, the Government’s efforts to strengthen the rule of law, mainly through increasing regional State presence in locations previously under the control of illegal armed groups, have placed Colombia in a better position to ensure full respect for human rights. 7. In 2008, the most important political and security-related developments affecting the human rights situation were: (a) extrajudicial executions, and the measures taken by the Government to address them; (b) tensions between the Government and the Supreme Court arising from the latest investigations into alleged links between members of Congress and paramilitary groups (the “parapolítica” affair); (c) the extradition to the United States in May 2008 of 13 of the most prominent paramilitary leaders3 investigated in cases under Act No. 975 (the Justice and Peace Act);4 (d) military successes against FARC-EP, the death of its leader and founder, and the release, rescue or escape of individuals kidnapped by the group; (e) increased civic awareness demonstrated through mass mobilizations against illegal armed groups and in support of respect for human rights; and (f) the economic slowdown in the context of the world financial crisis and the significant impact felt in the last quarter of the year from illegal pyramid investment schemes that lured thousands of people into bankruptcy with promises of high payouts. 8. Progress in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals remains slow. A particular concern is with the closing of the gap between those who have more opportunities, settled mainly in the major urban centres, and those excluded from development and marginalized with respect to goods and services provided by the State, living mainly in rural and depressed urban areas.5 3 A total of 15 paramilitary leaders were extradited to the United States in 2008. 4 Act No. 975 regulates judicial proceedings in respect of demobilized members of illegal armed groups and provides for judicial benefits based on their contribution to the pursuit of truth, justice and reparation for the victims of their crimes. 5 While in Bogotá 28 per cent of the population is below the poverty line, in Chocó the figure is 78.5 per cent. In Cundinamarca, excluding Bogotá, the illiteracy rate is 1.1 per cent, compared to 6 per cent in La Guajira (United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Millennium Development Goals Report 2007).