19 correspond to them under Article 1(1) of the Convention, respecting the rights and freedoms recognized therein and guaranteeing their free and full exercise to all In this regard, States have the particular persons under their jurisdiction.16 obligation to protect those persons who work in non-governmental organizations, to provide effective and adequate guarantees to human rights defenders so that they may freely carry out their activities, and to avoid actions that limit or impede such work. Human rights advocacy constitutes a positive and complementary contribution to the State’s own efforts as guarantor of the rights of all persons under its jurisdiction.17 Accordingly, the prevalence of human rights in a democratic state depends largely on the respect and freedom afforded to these defenders in their work.18 THEREFORE: THE INTER-AMERICAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS, By virtue of the authority conferred upon it by Article 63(2) of the American Convention on Human Rights and Articles 27 and 31 of the Rules of Procedure of the Court, DECIDES: 1. To reject the request for provisional measures filed by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights for the members of the Inter-Ecclesial Commission on Justice and Peace. 2. To order that the Secretariat serve notice of the present Order on the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights and the State of Colombia. 16 Cf. Case of Velásquez Rodríguez. Provisional Measures regarding Honduras. Order of the Court of January 15, 1988, Considering clause three; Case of Belfort Istúriz et al., supra note 6, Considering clause twenty-one; and, Matter of Four Ngöbe Indigenous Communities and its Members, supra note 14, Considering clause eighteen. 17 Cf. Case of La Pica, supra note 15, Considering clause fourteen; Case of the Caracazo, supra note 6, Considering clause seven; and, Matter of Gladys Lanza Ochoa, supra note 8, Considering clause seventeen. 18 Cf. Case of Lysias Fleury. Provisional Measures regarding Haiti. Order of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights of June 7, 2003, Considering clause five. See also Resolution 2412 (XXXVIII-O/08) of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States; Resolution 1842 (XXXII-O/02) of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States.