I. Introduction: Defending Rights at Great Risk 
In Colombia, standing up for human rights often comes at the cost of one’s life. Human rights defenders—activists, community leaders, environmental advocates, and indigenous representatives—face relentless persecution. Targeted killings, harassment, and threats are widespread, making Colombia one of the most dangerous countries in the world for rights defenders. This persecution forces many to flee, seeking refuge abroad to escape violence and continue their advocacy in safety. 

II. Historical Context of Persecution 
The persecution of human rights defenders in Colombia is rooted in decades of armed conflict and political instability. Community leaders who oppose land grabs, expose corruption, or resist paramilitary forces have long been seen as obstacles by powerful elites and armed groups. The peace accord of 2016 promised protection, but instead, killings of activists increased, highlighting the persistence of entrenched violence. 

III. Land and Environmental Defenders as Targets 
Activists defending land rights and the environment are among the most frequently targeted. They resist illegal mining, deforestation, and land seizures by corporations or armed groups. Their opposition to exploitation makes them prime targets for assassination, particularly in rural areas where state presence is weak. 

IV. Indigenous and Afro-Colombian Leaders 
Indigenous and Afro-Colombian leaders are disproportionately affected by persecution. Their efforts to defend ancestral lands and cultural rights place them in direct conflict with armed actors and corporations. Attacks on these leaders are often carried out with impunity, reflecting systemic racism and marginalisation. 

V. Gendered Violence Against Women Activists 
Women human rights defenders face unique risks, including sexual violence, harassment, and threats against their families. They are targeted not only for their activism but also because of entrenched patriarchy, which resents women in positions of leadership. This gendered persecution drives many women to flee for the safety of their children and themselves. 

VI. Collusion Between Elites and Armed Groups 
Powerful elites often collude with armed groups to silence human rights defenders. Activists who expose corruption or resist land seizures frequently face threats from both political actors and paramilitaries. This nexus of power leaves defenders isolated and vulnerable to violence. 

VII. Failures of the Peace Accord 
The 2016 peace accord between the Colombian government and the FARC guerrillas promised greater protections for communities and activists. However, implementation has been weak, and many regions remain under the control of armed groups. As a result, human rights defenders in these areas continue to face daily threats and violence. 

VIII. State Neglect and Impunity 
Despite international pressure, the Colombian state has failed to adequately protect human rights defenders. Protective measures are underfunded, and investigations into assassinations rarely result in convictions. This culture of impunity emboldens perpetrators and leaves activists unprotected. 

IX. Forced Displacement of Communities 
When activists are threatened or killed, entire communities are displaced. Villages abandon their homes to escape retaliation, contributing to Colombia’s massive population of internally displaced people. For many, migration abroad becomes the only path to security. 

X. Dangerous Paths to Exile 
Human rights defenders forced into exile often undertake dangerous journeys. Some seek asylum in the United States, Canada, or Europe, while others relocate to neighbouring Latin American countries. Exile provides safety but also isolates defenders from their communities and advocacy networks. 

XI. Diaspora Advocacy and International Solidarity 
Colombian human rights defenders in exile form networks abroad to continue their advocacy. They raise international awareness of persecution in Colombia and lobby for greater protections. This transnational activism ensures that their struggles remain visible, even from afar. 

XII. Conclusion: Migration as Resistance 
The persecution of human rights defenders in Colombia represents a broader assault on democracy and civil society. By forcing activists into exile, armed groups and corrupt elites aim to silence dissent. Yet migration also becomes a form of resistance, enabling defenders to continue their advocacy and expose injustices on the global stage. Until Colombia ensures genuine protections, the exodus of its bravest citizens will persist.