In the Report on Colombia, the Special Rapporteur noticed that the drug trafficking is one of the main factors of the violence and conflict in the country which has been lasting over 50 years, the longest endured by any country in modern times. Engaged in drug trafficking paramilitary groups aiming to control land and production of drugs systematically intimidated civilian population and corrupted public officials.
In this respect, the Special Rapporteur raised concern about the linkage between military and drug traffickers and other organized criminal groups. Not wanting to engage in combat with illegal groups they had been killing civilian population just for showing of taking action which mostly affected indigenous people and Afro-Colombian communities.
Moreover, the Special Rapporteur raised a great concern about the "social cleansing" practice, which affected vulnerable groups, such as drug addicted persons and small-time criminals.
Citation: Philip Alston, 'Report of the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions: Mission to Colombia' (2010) A/HRC/14/24/Add.2