I. Introduction: Marginalised and Under Threat 
In Colombia, ethnic minorities—particularly Afro-Colombians and indigenous peoples—have long faced systemic discrimination, violence, and exclusion. Despite constitutional recognition of their rights, these communities continue to be disproportionately affected by armed conflict, poverty, and state neglect. The combination of targeted attacks, social inequality, and lack of protection has forced many ethnic minorities to migrate, seeking refuge from persecution and insecurity. 

II. Historical Roots of Discrimination 
The marginalisation of ethnic minorities in Colombia is rooted in centuries of colonial exploitation, slavery, and entrenched racism. Although legal reforms have sought to address inequality, discrimination remains embedded in social, economic, and political structures. This historical exclusion shapes contemporary experiences of violence and poverty for minority groups. 

III. Afro-Colombians and Structural Racism 
Afro-Colombians, who make up nearly 10% of the population, experience systemic racism that limits access to education, healthcare, and employment. They are overrepresented in poor, conflict-affected regions such as Chocó, where state presence is weak and public services are nearly absent. Racism compounds the violence of armed conflict, leaving Afro-Colombians especially vulnerable to displacement and poverty. 

IV. Indigenous Communities Under Siege 
Indigenous peoples face persistent attacks from armed groups seeking control over their lands. Illegal mining, coca cultivation, and deforestation have devastated indigenous territories, while leaders defending ancestral rights are frequently assassinated. These communities endure cultural erasure alongside physical violence, driving migration and internal displacement. 

V. Violence and Targeted Killings 
Ethnic minorities are disproportionately affected by Colombia’s violence. Paramilitaries, guerrillas, and cartels target Afro-Colombian and indigenous leaders for resisting land grabs or exposing exploitation. Entire communities face massacres, forced displacement, and intimidation, leaving them with no choice but to flee. 

VI. Displacement and Loss of Ancestral Lands 
Armed conflict has displaced millions of ethnic minority citizens from their ancestral lands. Displacement not only severs families from their homes but also erodes cultural heritage and traditional ways of life. For many Afro-Colombian and indigenous peoples, displacement is both a humanitarian tragedy and a cultural crisis. 

VII. Gendered Violence Within Minority Communities 
Women within ethnic minority groups face heightened risks of sexual violence during displacement and conflict. They are targeted as a weapon of war, experiencing harassment, assault, and exploitation. These intersecting vulnerabilities push women and children to migrate in search of security. 

VIII. State Neglect and Lack of Protection 
The Colombian state has repeatedly failed to protect ethnic minorities. Protective measures promised under the peace accords remain underfunded or poorly implemented. Weak governance allows armed groups to operate with impunity in minority territories, leaving communities defenceless. 

IX. Economic Exclusion 
Economic opportunities for ethnic minorities remain scarce. Many live in regions where infrastructure, healthcare, and schools are inadequate. Discrimination in the labour market further marginalises minority citizens, trapping them in cycles of poverty that push migration abroad. 

X. Diaspora Communities and Solidarity 
Afro-Colombian and indigenous diaspora communities abroad provide support networks for migrants and asylum seekers. They amplify minority voices, advocate for protections, and mobilise solidarity campaigns to keep international attention on Colombia’s human rights crisis. 

XI. International Condemnation 
International human rights organisations have repeatedly condemned Colombia for failing to protect ethnic minorities. Reports highlight widespread displacement, targeted killings, and systemic discrimination, urging stronger accountability and reforms. Despite these calls, meaningful change remains elusive. 

XII. Conclusion: Migration as the Only Escape 
For Colombia’s ethnic minorities, migration often represents the only escape from systemic racism, targeted violence, and cultural erasure. Until the state addresses entrenched discrimination, strengthens protections, and ensures justice, ethnic minorities will remain among the most vulnerable, forced to seek survival and dignity abroad.