40 groups.137 The Commission also confirmed that these factors had triggered the intra-urban displacement of dozens of families, who were forced to leave their homes, thereby reinforcing what the paramilitary called “the reign of silence.”138 F. State of emergency declared on August 11, 2002 and subsequent decrees 155. On August 11, 2002, during the first term of President Alvaro Uribe Vélez, Colombia declared a state of emergency.139 As grounds for its decision, the State pointed to the insecurity in the country and the violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed against its citizens.140 Decree 1837, which declared the state of emergency, provided that “measures have to be taken to restore the rights and freedoms of citizens across the nation, without sacrificing the guarantees they have under the Constitution and the international treaties that Colombia has signed and ratified on the subject.”141 156. By a note dated August 12, 2002, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Colombia informed the OAS Secretary General that a state of emergency had been declared in Colombia on August 11, 2002.142 In keeping with Article 27(3) of the American Convention on Human Rights, the State reported the following in that note: The statement to which I have referred is a result of the recent occurrence of events which disrupt the normal course of citizens’ activities, causing a state of unrest throughout the nation, stemming from the surge in attacks against the civilian population and democratic institutions, particularly against local leaders, committed by outlawed armed groups funded mainly by resources obtained from drug trafficking, abductions and extortion…. With the use of these powers, the National Government has the legal ability to restrict some public freedoms and to make use of the right that is the subject of Article 27.1 of the American Convention on Human Rights. This right is exercised by the Colombian Government through the issuance of decrees of a legislative nature directly relating to the reasons that gave rise to the statement, which must be signed by the President and all of his Ministers, and is subject to oversight of the Constitutional Court … The provisions that are adopted in the course of the internal state of unrest shall not be inconsistent with the other obligations that are imposed by the international rule of law and shall not involve any discrimination based on reasons of race, color, sex, language, religion or 137 IACHR, Report on the Demobilization Process in Colombia, OEA/Ser.L/V/II.120 Doc. 60, December 13, 2004, paragraph 82. 138 IACHR, Report on the Demobilization Process in Colombia, OEA/Ser.L/V/II.120 Doc. 60, December 13, 2004, paragraph 82. 139 Annex 49. Office of the President of the Republic, Decree Number 1837 of 2002, August 11, 2002. The decree resolves “To declare a state of emergency nationwide, for a period of ninety (90) calendar days as of the date of effect of the present decree,” See p. 4. 140 Annex 49. Office of the President of the Republic, Decree Number 1837 of 2002, August 11, 2002, pp. 1-4. 141 Annex 49. Office of the President of the Republic, Decree Number 1837 of 2002, August 11, 2002, p. 2. 142 Annex 50. Note from the State of Colombia to the OAS Secretary General, DM.OJ. 29607, August 12, 2002, received by the OAS Department of International Law on August 14, 2002; the States Parties to the American Convention on Human Rights, the IACHR and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights were notified on August 15, 2002. With its note, the State attaches a copy of Decree Number 1837 of 2002.