José Javier Urágama Chamorro

Twenty-two year old indigenous rights defender José Javier Uragama Chamorro, was the father of 4 children and the Chief of the Emberá People in the community of Agua Clara, in the municipality of Bajo Baudó.

On 25 June, 2020, he had gone to the local capital to report the murder of a traditional doctor in the community. José Javier treported to the police that he himself had been forced to take part in the killing of the doctor by members of a criminal group active in the area. He told the police that because he was now reporting the killing, both he and his family were in danger.

As José Javier was returning by boat to Agua Clara he was intercepted by armed men who tortured him brutally and shot him ten times.

Two days later fishermen found his body in the river 5 minutes from the town.


If you would like to provide a personal recollection, please email us at: HRDMemorial@frontlinedefenders.org

Region:Americas

Country:Colombia

Department/Province/State:Choco

Sex1:Male

Age:22

Date of Killing:28/06/2020

Previous Threats:Yes

Type of Work:Community leader

Organisation:Pueblo Emberá en la comunidad Agua Clara.

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

Sector Detail:Impunity/Justice, Indigenous Peoples' Rights, Minority Rights

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).