22 the Bajo Atrato area. Despite the frequent complaints about the upsurge in paramilitary attacks in the area, the government did not adopt any measures to combat and disperse the paramilitary 46 groups nor to protect the civilian communities. 112. The Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on internally displaced persons, for his part, reported that since 1997, there was an increase in the number of mass and collective displacements in Colombia, frequently of entire communities and that the displacements had 47 become more organized. It indicated that the displacement frequently occurred as the communities complied with specific orders issued by armed groups, in contrast to a more spontaneous decision to flee 48 in order to escape threats against one's physical safety. In addition, the UNHCR March 1998 Report, pointed out that Forced displacement of the civilian population by the Security Forces and paramilitary groups is being used as a war strategy. In many cases, the population are suspected of forming a base of support for the insurgents and are forced to leave their homes [...] Once the inhabitants have been forced away, the economically or militarily strategic lands are settled by individuals sympathetic to 49 the military forces or paramilitaries, creating security zones necessary to control them. 113. For its part, during its in loco visit to Colombia in December 1997, the IACHR received numerous statements revealing individuals' and the State's active and passive discrimination. The complaints drafted by the Afro-Colombians and corroborated by various sociological studies at the time referred to a systematic discrimination, official or otherwise. With respect to this last point, the report indicated that "the offensive stereotyping used by the media, arts and popular culture tends to perpetuate a negative attitude towards the blacks (sic), and these commonly inconsistent views are reflected in the wider society in public policies, when the Government, at various levels, distributes the State's limited 50 resources." The Commission also observed "a favorable acknowledgement by the State at all levels, and in general, by society as a whole, that Afro-Colombians have been the victims of racial 51 discrimination", and that this discrimination persisted and recognized that this discrimination did not form part of a deliberate State policy. 114. During its visit, the IACHR confirmed that the communities displaced from Cacarica had been the target of harassment and violence from paramilitaries since their arrival in Turbo and on December 17, 1997, issued precautionary measures MC 70/99 in favor of those who were located in the "displaced encampments in Turbo, including in the municipal sports stadium and in the settlements built 52 for them". 46 Annex 1. The 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. 47 Annex 13. U.N. ECOSOC. Specific groups and individuals: Mass exoduses and displaced persons. Report of the Representative of the Secretary-General on internally displaced persons submitted in accordance with Commission resolution 1999/47. Add. Profiles in displacement: follow-up mission to Colombia. E/CN.4/2000/83/Add.1, 11 January 2000, par. 34. At: http://www.unhchr.ch/Huridocda/Huridoca.nsf/TestFrame/6d5358107a11e85a802568ac003ea6b6?Opendocument. 48 Annex 13. U.N. ECOSOC. Specific groups and individuals: Mass exoduses and displaced persons. Report of the Representative of the Secretary-General on internally displaced persons submitted in accordance with Commission resolution 1999/47. Add. Profiles in displacement: follow-up mission to Colombia. E/CN.4/2000/83/Add.1, 11 January 2000, par. 34. At: http://www.unhchr.ch/Huridocda/Huridoca.nsf/TestFrame/6d5358107a11e85a802568ac003ea6b6?Opendocument. 49 Annex 14. U.N. Report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) on the Colombia Office, 54th Sessions of the Human Rights Commission. E/CN.4/1998/16, March 9, 1998, para. 97. At: http://www.unhchr.ch/Huridocda/Huridoca.nsf/(Symbol)/E.CN.4.1998.16.En?Opendocument. 50 Annex 15. IACHR. Third Report on the Situation of Human Rights in Colombia, Chapter XI: the Rights of afro Descendant Communities. OEA/Ser.L/V/II.102 Doc. 9 rev. 1, February 26, 1999, para. 20. At: http://www.cidh.org/countryrep/Colom99en/table%20of%20contents.htm. 51 Annex 15. IACHR. Third Report on the Situation of Human Rights in Colombia, Chapter XI: the Rights of afro Descendant Communities. OEA/Ser.L/V/II.102 Doc. 9 rev. 1, February 26, 1999, para. 19. At: http://www.cidh.org/countryrep/Colom99en/table%20of%20contents.htm. 52 Annex 10. IACHR's Communication to the State dated December 19, 2001 in the precautionary measures MC 70/99.