U.N. urges Colombia to fulfill peace deal, stem violence

FILE PHOTO: Colombia's President Ivan Duque looks on during an announcement in Bogota, Colombia February 8, 2021. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia's government must improve its protection of human rights activists and civilians, be more present in remote, poor areas, and fully implement a peace deal with FARC rebels to curb violence, the United Nations' human rights body said on Tuesday.

The murders of activists and mass killings have made President Ivan Duque the target of frequent criticism by the international community and advocacy groups. His government largely blames the violence on drug trafficking.