A/HRC/43/51/Add.1 the Covenant, the Government developed the timely action plan, 28 which it prepared without the involvement of civil society or international organizations. 29 16. On 3 May 2019, the Government approved the formulation of a comprehensive public policy to ensure respect for and safeguards for the work of human rights defenders. This process was launched with the participation of various groups of human rights defenders across the country and the private sector, with the support and follow-up of OHCHR, the United Nations Development Programme, the Mission to Support the Peace Process in Colombia and the International Organization for Migration. 17. On 7 November 2019, national human rights platforms and defenders suspended their participation and dialogue with the Government on the formulation of the policy. 30 The Government has publicly reiterated its commitment to a participatory process for the elaboration of this policy, which it hopes to present during the first quarter of 2020. 31 The Special Rapporteur welcomes this important initiative, as highlighted in his first key recommendation following the visit, and recommends that the necessary time be allocated for the elaboration of the policy, with the participation and agreement of all the social sectors concerned. 18. The renewal of the mandate of the OHCHR office in Colombia in October 2019 for a further three years is a step forward for human rights and the protection of human rights defenders.32 Based on this mandate, OHCHR will continue to provide technical cooperation and monitor and report on the human rights situation and the responsibilities established in the Peace Agreement. III. Situation of human rights defenders 19. The purpose of the Special Rapporteur’s visit was to determine whether human rights defenders in Colombia are safe and empowered to promote and defend human rights and whether the Government ensures that human rights can be defended and promoted in a safe and enabling environment. A. Consistently high numbers of murders and other violations 20. From 2016 to 30 June 2019, Colombia was the country with the highest number of murders of human rights defenders in Latin America, according to the cases compiled and verified by the United Nations,33 and with a large number of threats, attacks, displacements and other violations of the rights of defenders. 34 Human Rights defenders are killed and abused for keeping the peace, acting against the interests of organized crime, illegal economic activities, corruption and illegal land holdings and for protecting their communities. Women human rights defenders are also subjected to specific gender-based violations and their families are targeted. 21. While the overall homicide rate in Colombia has continued to decline since 2011 and since the signature of the Peace Agreement (with the exception of a slight increase in 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 6 www.mininterior.gov.co/sites/default/files/plan_de_accion_oportuna_de _prevencion_y_proteccion_0.pdf. Decree No. 2137 of 2018. www.coljuristas.org/nuestro_quehacer/item.php?id=264. www.elpais.com.co/colombia/gobierno-presentara-conpes-para-proteccion-de-lideres-sociales-en2020.html. The OHCHR office in Colombia was set up in 1996. The original mandate and subsequent renewals are available at: www.hchr.org.co/index.php/mandato-de-la-oficina. Cases compiled by OHCHR and other United Nations entities on the basis of verified reports of killings of human rights defenders, journalists and trade unionists, in line with international efforts to strengthen compliance by States Members with their responsibility to guarantee public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms. Front Line Defenders Global Analysis 2018, pp. 4, 7 and 16–18. GE.19-22542