24 displacement; making every possible effort to obtain the funding required to assist the displaced population and ensure the effective enjoyment of the essential components of their basic rights. 119. After the visit of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Afro-Descendants and Against Racial Discrimination to the Republic of Colombia in 2007, the IACHR observed that Afro-Colombians have been particularly affected by the violence stemming from the conflict and that the scale of violence against the Afro-descendants remains hidden due to a lack of individualized estimates allowing an 61 appreciation of the ways in which they have been affected in comparison to the rest of the population. 2. Background of this case 120. According to Ombudsman's Resolution No. 025 by mid 1996 rumors started to circulate that paramilitaries intended to take control of Riosucio in the Department of Chocó (in the Medio Atrato area). On October 6, 1996, members of the ACCU killed various farmers of the Brisas de la Virgen community, located between the Chocó and Antioquia Departments. During the attack, the paramilitaries stated that "they would quickly take control of Riosucio, a city [sic] of the area with strategic importance. With the upsurge in the threats of a paramilitary attack, FARC guerillas established check-points in two areas of the Atrato river. One was in the Puente América community, to the north of the city of Riosucio, 62 and the other, to the south of Riosucio in Domingodó, where the guerillas confiscated food and fuel." It emerged from the statements of the area's inhabitants that the paramilitary groups imposed an economic 63 and food blockade. 121. At the same time, the Security Forces maintained a presence in the area where the events of the present case took place, mainly in the Gulf of Urabá, the Atrato River and its tributaries, through National Police units, the Navy and Brigade XVII of the National Army, stationed in Carepa, 64 65 Antioquia, the last mentioned being under the command of General Rito Alejo Del Río Rojas. 122. It is apparent from a series of tutela actions lodged by those living in Riosucio that "on December 20, 1996, the paramilitaries that controlled RIOSUCIO-CHOCO announced that SALAQUI (in Chocó) was next, which caused a first wave of displacements to Cartagena, Turbo, Quibdó and the 66 Panamanian border." 123. Various reports show that between December 1996 and January 1997, 70 individuals lost 67 their lives in Riosucio during a paramilitary raid, which caused the displacement of hundreds of people. 61 Annex 11. IACHR Preliminary Observations after the visit of the Rapporteur on the Rights of Afro-descendants and Against Racial Discrimination to the Republic of Colombia, para. 79. In: http://www.IACHR.org/countryrep/ColombiaAfrodescendientes.sp/ColombiaAfros2009cap3-4.sp.htm#1 62 Annex 2. Ombudsman’s Office. Ombudsman’s Resolution No. 025 on the Massive Human Rights Violations and Forced Displacement in the Bajo Atrato Region of Chocó, October 2002. Annex to the initial petition of June 1, 2004. 63 “[In 1997] by the date when threats were overheard that the paramilitary groups were coming in […] in that came an economic blockade and they started to say that no one could take much food, but only rations, this used to come from the paramilitaries, I learned about it because I had a food store in the Puerto Nuevo Community”. Annex 6. Statement of José Bermudis Valderrama Perea before the Special Commission of the UDH and DIH of December 19, 2002, Annex 4 to the petitioners’ brief dated March 10, 2008. See also: Annex 5. Statement of Cruz Manuel Ramírez before the Special Commission of the UDH and DIH of December 11, 2002, Annex 3 to the petitioners’ brief dated March 10, 2008. 64 Annex 2. Ombudsman’s Office. Ombudsman’s Resolution No. 025 on the Massive Human Rights Violations and Forced Displacement in the Bajo Atrato Region of Chocó, October 2002. Annex to the initial petition of June 1, 2004. 65 “On December 11, 1995, Brigadier General Rito Alejo del Río Rojas was named Commander of the XVII Brigade of the National Army with its headquarters in the Carepa Municipality – Antioquia, a command he remained in until December 31, 1997. Annex 22. Review Action 30510 filed by the PGN on February 18, 2009. Annex to petitioners’ brief of March 23, 2009. 66 Annexes 23, 24 and 25.Tutela actions lodged by Rosalba Córdoba Rengifo, Pascual Ávila Carmona and Pedro Manuel Pérez Florez in May 1997. Annexes to the initial petition of June 1, 2004 and Annex 26. Tutela action lodged by Hermenegilda Mosquera Murillo. Annex 10 to the petitioners’ brief dated March 10, 2008. 67 Annex 2. Ombudsman’s Office. Ombudsman’s Resolution No. 025 on the Massive Human Rights Violations and Forced Displacement in the Bajo Atrato Region of Chocó, October 2002. Annex to the initial petition of June 1, 2004. See also: Annex 14. Continues…