UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. In June Juan Manuel Santos was chosen president in elections that were considered generally free and fair.
Security forces reported to civilian authorities. Although significantly fewer than past years, there were instances in which elements of the security forces acted independently of civilian control. The most serious human rights problems were impunity and an inefficient judiciary, corruption, and societal discrimination.
Impunity and an inefficient justice system subject to intimidation limited the state's ability to prosecute effectively those accused of human rights abuses and to process former paramilitaries. Corruption often was exacerbated by drug-trafficking revenue.
Societal discrimination against indigenous persons and Afro-Colombians negatively affected the ability of these groups to exercise their rights. Other problems included extrajudicial killings, insubordinate military collaboration with members of illegal armed groups, forced disappearances, overcrowded and insecure prisons, harassment of human rights groups and activists, violence against women, trafficking in persons, and illegal child labor.
The government continued efforts to improve respect for human rights and prosecute and punish officials, including members of the security services, who committed abuses, but some impunity persisted.
