human rights defenders.48 The commission also noted that most attacks against defenders in Colombia continue to languish in impunity.49 59. The Colombian state, for its part, said that its policy in this regard is one of "support, communication, and collaboration with human rights defenders.”50 It said that among the steps taken to ensure the necessary legal guarantees to enable defenders to pursue their activities freely and safely were the following: Presidential Directive No. 07 of 1999, which highlights the importance of the work of human rights defenders in designing policies, plans, and programs for protection of human rights.51 The adoption of multiple decrees creating protection programs for those at risk, including leaders and members of human rights organizations.52 In that connection, the IACHR has emphasized the importance of the Protection Program for Human Rights Defenders, Trade Unionists, Journalists and Social Leaders.53 Promotion of the National Guarantees Process to strengthen guarantees to enable defenders to do their work.54 The formulation of the Public Policy to Guarantee the Defense of Human Rights.55 The creation of the National Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law System as part of the 2010-2014 Development Plan.56 - The enactment of Law 1621 of 2013 to strengthen the legal framework that enables intelligence and counterintelligence agencies to carry out their constitutional and legally ordained mission.57 B. José Alvear Restrepo Lawyers' Collective 60. José Alvear Restrepo Lawyers' Collective (CCAJAR) is a nongovernmental organization founded in 1980. Its headquarters are in Bogota. According to information on its website, the organization has the following objective: To defend and advance human rights under a holistic approach, premised on the indivisibility and interdependence of all rights and freedoms, in order to help combat impunity and build a just and equitable society that strives for political, economic, social, and cultural inclusion and respect and full observance of the rights of peoples to sovereignty, self-determination, development, and peace with social justice.58 61. The Commission notes that CCAJAR has lodged several individual petitions with it and has frequently appeared at its hearings and those of the Inter-American Court. 62. In its 1999 report on Colombia the IACHR mentioned that CCAJAR lawyers had “frequently received threats.” The Commission added: Another military report has led to the initiation of a criminal investigation against Alirio Uribe of the "José Alvear Restrepo" Lawyers' Collective. That military report apparently links IACHR, 2015 Annual Report, March 17, 2016, par. 81. Available at: http://www.oas.org/en/iachr/docs/annual/2015/docen/InformeAnual2015-cap5-Colombia-EN.pdf 49 IACHR, 2015 Annual Report, March 17, 2016, par. 359. Available at: http://www.oas.org/en/iachr/docs/annual/2015/docen/InformeAnual2015-cap5-Colombia-EN.pdf 50 State’s brief containing observations on merits, January 23, 2015. 51 State’s brief containing observations on merits, January 23, 2015. 52 State’s brief containing observations on merits, January 23, 2015. 53 IACHR, 2008 Annual Report, February 25, 2009, par. 11. Available at: http://www.cidh.org/annualrep/2008eng/Chap4.b.eng.htm 54 State’s brief containing observations on merits, January 23, 2015. 55 State’s brief containing observations on merits, January 23, 2015. 56 State’s brief containing observations on merits, January 23, 2015. 57 State’s brief containing observations on merits, January 23, 2015. 58 Available at: http://www.colectivodeabogados.org/?-Quienes-Somos25948 12