Holmes Alberto Niscué

Holmes Alberto Niscué, indigenous leader, was shot several times in the head by two men on Sunday, August 19, 2018.

He was part of the leadership of the autonomous indigenous community Awá de Gran Rosario and led various projects aimed at preventing child and youth recruitment from guerrilla and paramilitary groups in the region. As part of his commitment to the community, he was also studying to get a Bachelor’s Degree in Education.

Holmes had been receiving threats, since he and other community leaders showed clear opposition to a group of FARC dissidents who were threatening to infiltrate the community. The threats were reported to the authorities, who proceeded to give Holmes a bulletproof vest and a cellphone as precautionary measures.

He was killed less than 200 meters away from the police station.


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Region:Americas

Country:Colombia

Department/Province/State:Narino

Sex1:Male

Date of Killing:19/08/2018

Previous Threats:Yes

Type of Work:Community leader

Organisation:Resguardo Indígena Awá del Gran Rosario; Unidad Indígena del Pueblo Awá (Unipa);

Sector or Type of Rights the HRD Worked On:ESC Rights

Sector Detail:Impunity/Justice, Indigenous Peoples' Rights, Peace Building

More information:Front Line Defenders

1This database records an individual's chosen gender identity. If they do not self-identify as male or female they can use the option of recording other/neither or use the term NBGI (non binary gender identity).