A/HRC/43/3/Add.3 responsibility for crimes and human rights violations committed by individuals who are not State agents, but act as such during official operations, is upon the State. 34 In this case, the responsibility extends to the chain of command responsible for the operation. 54. OHCHR documented cases of alleged torture and ill-treatment by the police in Antioquia, Arauca, Huila and Putumayo, and in Bogotá. In Antioquia, the police allegedly arrested a man and put him in a cell with members of a criminal group, telling them that he was a member of a rival criminal group. The police reportedly let the other detainees beat him before themselves beating him and using electric shocks to obtain information. The investigations of the Office of the Attorney General concerning these cases require the full application of the Manual on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (Istanbul Protocol). 35 55. OHCHR values its ongoing dialogue with the Ministry of Defence on cases of alleged arbitrary deprivation of life and other military and police actions that could constitute human rights violations. Despite differences regarding the analysis and conclusions on these cases, OHCHR reiterates its willingness to continue this dialogue. 56. Police continued to recruit civilians to eradicate illicit crops. This practice exposes civilians to loss of life or injury due to the presence of anti-personnel mines and unexploded ordnance among the crops. Between January and November, 24 civilians and 8 antinarcotics police officers were affected by such devices in Tumaco, Nariño, while eradicating illicit crops. 57. As far as corruption is concerned, OHCHR received information regarding possible cases involving members of the police and the military in Amazonas, Antioquia, Caquetá, Cauca, Cesar, Chocó, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Nariño, Putumayo and Valle del Cauca. This possible corruption could have compromised the effectiveness of the fight against ELN, criminal groups and other violent groups. One of the most serious cases occurred in Antioquia, where at least 26 members of criminal groups were captured carrying weapons with special permits that only the military can grant. 58. OHCHR noted that the police presence remained insufficient in most rural areas, especially in Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Caquetá, Córdoba, Guaviare, Huila, Meta, Nariño, Norte de Santander and Sucre. The State must strengthen the institutional capacity of the police with the objective of increasing its presence in rural areas, including through the deployment of specialized units. Additionally, effective internal oversight mechanisms and the inclusion of a human rights-based approach in the execution of police duties are essential. OHCHR stands ready to provide additional technical assistance in this regard. VI. Economic, social, cultural and environmental rights A. Inequality and corruption 59. During 2019, the gross domestic product increased by 3.3 per cent. 36 Since 2016, multidimensional poverty has increased by 1.8 per cent, with radical inequalities between urban and rural areas,37 thereby affecting access to a range of economic, social and cultural rights. This increase signals a need to redouble efforts to progressively guarantee economic, social and cultural rights. According to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Colombia is among the three countries with the highest levels of inequality in Latin America, with a Gini coefficient of 0.51. ECLAC determined that, if the average income growth and wealth distribution remained the same from 2008 until 2017, 34 35 36 37 10 International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, Prosecutor v. Tadić, Appeals Chamber IT-94-1-A, Judgment of 15 July 1999, paras. 141 and 144. Available at www.ohchr.org/Documents/Publications/training8Rev1en.pdf. See https://www.dane.gov.co/index.php/estadisticas-por-tema/cuentas-nacionales/cuentas-nacionalestrimestrales. See https://www.dane.gov.co/files/investigaciones/condiciones_vida/pobreza/2018/cp_pobreza_ multidimensional_18.pdf.