20/05/2008 (Agence Europe) - The EU is very concerned by the murders of and death threats received by leaders of the social and human rights organisations in Colombia over recent weeks. Since 18 February, five leaders or members of associations involved in EU programmes have been killed. Also, organisations supported by the EU have received threats. The “European Union wishes to underline the legitimate efforts of these community leaders to build peace in Colombia and to defend and promote human rights in the country”, a declaration from the Slovenian EU Presidency reads. The EU will “continue resolutely to support human rights defenders in Colombia”, the declaration states. (H.B.)