Luis Eladio Mecha

Luis Eladio Mecha was an indigenous leader, and a member of the Wounann leadership council (cabildo) in Bogotá. He had been previously displaced from Choco

Luis Eladio was a respected authority in the community and had worked for many years for the welfare of his people, calling for the full implementation of the chapter in the Peace Agreement relating to the enforceability of indigenous rights.

On the morning of 15 March 2020, Luis Eladio was shot dead in Bogotá.

He had received many threats prior to his death and had reported these threats to the authorities but had not received any response.

In recent months there has been an escalation in the number of attacks on indigenous leaders and the 605 members of the community speak of living in a climate of fear.

 


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Region:Americas

Country:Colombia

Department/Province/State:Cundinamarca

Sex1:Male

Date of Killing:15/03/2020

Previous Threats:Yes

Type of Work:Community leader

Organisation:Cabildo Wounann en Ciudad Bolivar.

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

Sector Detail:Citizens' rights, Indigenous Peoples' 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).