A/HRC/43/51/Add.1 even killings of defenders in areas with strong business activity. 87 Thirty per cent of the attacks occurred in areas with large-scale mining projects (particularly gold), while 28.5 per cent took place in areas where palm oil (in Cesar, Chocó, Meta and Nariño), banana (Caribbean zone) and sugar cane (Northern Cauca, Valle del Cauca and Vichada) agribusinesses operate. The remainder were connected to energy sector projects (oil, gas, coal, hydroelectric dams, wind and solar parks) and other infrastructure and tourism projects.88 There are also business initiatives that are having a positive impact, such as the joint declaration of June 201889 and the road map for the protection of life and integrity that guides companies’ actions in response to threats. 64. In Colombia, common and organized criminal groups, including transnational groups, are materially responsible for a significant percentage of the murders of defenders and threats and other violations of their rights. 90 Some of these groups include members of former paramilitary groups, such as the United Self-Defence Forces of Colombia. Illegal armed groups, such as the People’s Liberation Army (or “Pelusos”), the ELN and the dissidents or residual groups of the FARC-EP, have also attacked human rights defenders. The Special Rapporteur has received repeated allegations of inaction and even apparent collusion by corrupt State security forces with the above-mentioned illegal groups, and of their proximity, through corruption or the financing of political campaigns, to local authorities and businesses for the purchase of “security” in some contexts. 65. In their public discourse, some representatives of the evangelical and Catholic churches reject what they consider the “imposition of gender ideology”, which is simply the recognition of the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons and the sexual and reproductive rights of women. The Special Rapporteur is concerned that this is accompanied by social mobilization and an increase in discriminatory statements against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community and those who defend sexual and reproductive rights. VII. Community of human rights defenders 66. Human rights defenders in Colombia have diverse profiles and work on the full range of human rights issues at the local, regional, national and international levels. There is strong coordination among human rights defenders through formal and informal networks, and they have structured their work in a participatory and coordinated manner through four major thematic platforms. Many of the leaders still do not consider themselves human rights defenders. However, in accordance with the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, social leaders are human rights defenders when they act individually or with others to promote or protect human rights peacefully at the national or international level. 67. Colombian civil society played a key role in incorporating a human rights and gender perspective into the Peace Agreement, and continues to do so in its implementation. Civil society advocates effective political participation to create a safe and enabling environment for the defence of human rights and to provide security for its members. VIII. Conclusions and recommendations 68. The Rapporteur’s visit took place three months after the change of government that made Iván Duque President and two years after the historic signing of the Peace Agreement between the Government of Colombia and FARC-EP that ended more than five decades of conflict between the parties. The Special Rapporteur has noted the political will and important initiatives of the Colombian authorities to create a safe and supportive environment for the defence of human rights and appreciates the 87 88 89 90 16 Business and Human Rights Resource Centre. Ibid. www.derechoshumanos.gov.co/Prensa/2018/Paginas/Unidos-por-la-defensa-de-los-defensores-deDerechos-Humanos.aspx. Colombian Commission of Jurists, ¿Cuáles son los patrones? Asesinatos de líderes sociales en el post Acuerdo, pp. 30 and 31. GE.19-22542