15 illegally. They indicate that this situation was documented repeatedly by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Colombia; they are of the view that the State denies the situation without any foundation. 67. The petitioners contend that the unlawful search of Mery Naranjo’s family residence in Comuna 13 on February 6, 2006 was another episode that reveals how serious the persecution of these leaders was. They contend that the search was conducted by a joint command of Army soldiers and paramilitary and was done without a court order. In the course of that search, Mrs. Naranjo’s 14-year old niece, Luisa María Escudero, was injured. This search occurred despite the precautionary measures granted by the IACHR, referenced in paragraphs 27-32 of this report. 68. As a result of these events, Ms. Naranjo and Ms. Mosquera were forced to resign their offices as community leaders. They have been prevented from serving as Chair of the Community Action Board and President of the Las Independencias Women’s Association (AMI), respectively. Hence, with the tolerance of the State, paramilitary groups prevented them from lawfully exercising their right to freedom of association. These paramilitary groups attempted to do away with the Community Action Board and the AMI, using threats and systematic persecution of their members and leaders as the means to silence the demands, complaints and the work that was being accomplished through these organizations. 69. The petitioners also described the impact that these events had on the family unit of these human rights defenders. Ms. Yarce was the mother of five children when she was killed.14 Mrs. Mosquera was a head of household and mother of four children; she is now living with her children and grandchildren, who provide her with assistance and emotional support.15 At the time of the events associated with Operation Orión, two of her children were minors and Ms. Mosquera had to leave them living alone in the house, because she did not have the economic means to take them with her when she was displaced. Ms. Mery Naranjo is also a mother and head of household, and she lives with and helps financially support the entire family, composed of her children and grandchildren.16 Another victim the petitioners name in this case is the child Luisa María Escudero –Ms. Naranjo’s niece- who was injured in the military operation staged on February 6, 2006. She was 14 at the time of the events. 14 The petitioners identify Ms. Yarce’s children as the following: Mónica Dulfari Orozco Yarce, Siley Vanessa Yarce, John Henry Yarce, Arlex Efrén Yarce and James Adrian Yarce. According to the petitioners, two of her children have died as a product of the violence -Arlex and James. Two of her daughters were minors at the time she was killed - Shirley Vanessa Yarce and Jhon Henry Yarce. Communication from the petitioners in the matter of Mery Naranjo Jiménez et al. – Comuna 13 – 12.621, dated March 25, 2010, pp. 3 and 4. 15 The petitioners identify the following persons as Ms. Mosquera’s children: Marlon Daniel Herrera Mosquera, Lubin Arjadi Mosquera, Hilda Milena Villa Mosquera, Iván Alberto Herrera Mosquera and Carlos Mario Villa Mosquera (deceased). Her grandchildren are identified as: Luisa Fernanda Herrera Vera, Sofía Herrera Montoya, Madelen Araujo Correa, Luisa María Mosquera Guisao, Lubín Alfonso Villa Mosquera, Daniel Esteven Herrera Vera, Carlos Mario Bedoya Serna and Mateo Rodríguez. Communication from the petitioners in the matter of Mery Naranjo Jiménez et al. – Comuna 13 – 12.621, dated March 25, 2010, pp. 4 and 5. 16 The petitioners identify the following persons as Ms. Naranjo’s children: Juan David, Alejandro, Sandra Janneth and Alba Mery Naranjo Jiménez. Her grandchildren are identified as follows: Erika Johann Gómez, Heidi Tatiana Naranjo Gómez, Sebastián Naranjo Jiménez, María Camila Naranjo Jiménez, Aura María Amaya Naranjo, and Esteban Torres Naranjo. Communication from the petitioners in the matter of Mery Naranjo Jiménez et al. – Comuna 13 – 12.621, dated March 25, 2010, p. 4.