A/HRC/43/51/Add.1 the establishment of the intersectoral committee on guarantees for women leaders and human rights defenders in 2016, 15 which is tasked with coordinating and guiding the formulation, implementation and monitoring of the Comprehensive Programme of Guarantees for Women Leaders and Human Rights Defenders and its action plan of 2018, under the leadership of the Ministry of the Interior and women’s organizations and with the support of the United Nations.16 13. In addition, important specialized mechanisms for the protection of human rights defenders have been established under the Peace Agreement:17 (a) The National Committee for Security Guarantees (2017), headed by the President of the Republic and with the participation of civil society, responsible for adopting a policy to dismantle criminal organizations, including successors of paramilitarism and their support networks, and combat conduct that attacks human rights defenders and social or political movements. 18 Although the Commission is supposed to meet once a month under the terms of the Decree, it has met only twice in plenary since the change of Government. (b) The new prevention and early warning system for rapid response to criminal acts and conduct that put human rights defenders, including community leaders, at risk19 (see paragraphs 60 to 62 below, on the Ombudsman’s Office). (c) The Comprehensive Security and Protection Programme for Communities and Organizations in the Territories. 20 A decree setting out the role of governors and mayors in the protection of human rights defenders has been published. 21 14. Since 2016, the Attorney General’s Office has implemented a strategy to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of murders of human rights defenders. The first investigative assumption is the link between the crime and the victim’s work defending human rights. A special unit for the investigation of murders, massacres, attacks and threats against human rights defenders22 has been set up, together with mobile units. The special unit applies specific intervention protocols and has strengthened the investigation of threats. Since 2017, the Counsel General’s Office has had the authority to receive complaints against public servants for acts targeting human rights defenders23 and has been cooperating with OHCHR, in coordination with the Ombudsman’s Office, to strengthen this function in the territories.24 It has established the Committee for the Protection of Life to coordinate this work,25 which is gradually being implemented in the territories.26 15. On 23 August 2018, the President of the Republic, the Public Prosecution Service and social organizations, with the support of the international community, concluded the Apartadó Covenant for the Life and Protection of Social Leaders and Human Rights Defenders. 27 The Covenant sets out 11 commitments to address the stigmatization, persecution and killing of human rights defenders and social leaders. In order to implement 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 GE.19-22542 Measures for Women and designated four representatives of women’s organizations for risk assessment and the adoption of measures for women human rights defenders. Decree No. 1314 of 2016. Ministry of the Interior, resolution No. 0845 of 14 June 2018. Point 3.4 of the Peace Agreement. Decree-Law No. 154 of 2017. Decree No. 2124 of 2017. Decree No. 660 of 2018. Decree No. 2252 of 2017. Decree No. 898 of 2017. Directive No. 002 of the Counsel-General’s Office of 2017. www.procuraduria.gov.co/portal/media/file/memorando%20de%20entendimiento(1).pdf. Counsel General’s Office, resolution No. 393 of 9 July 2018. www.procuraduria.gov.co/portal/Procuradorpidio_seguimiento_a_medidas_de_proteccion_a_lideres_para_lideres_de_Juntas_de_Accion_Comunal.news. www.procuraduria.gov.co/portal/media/file/PACTO%20POR%20LA%20VIDA.pdf. 5