Adil Jose Meléndez Marquez
Colombia
Adil Jose Meléndez Marquez is a Colombian human rights lawyer. He is one of the few lawyers working on land restitution cases, and the prosecution of the (para)military in the northern Bolivar region. He mainly represents displaced and indigenous peoples and peasant communities.
As a result of his work, he often receives threats by the paramilitary. The state recognized the need for safety measures and has provided Meléndez with bodyguards. However, the protection by bodyguards is only applied when he is in Cartagena, while the risks are particularly high outside Cartagena, in the rural areas.
Adil Meléndez survived three attempted assassination attempts by cicario’s (assassins). He reports that he is being followed on the streets, and that his phone is tapped. Despite the threats, he is determined to continue his work to prevent certain groups of citizens from having no access to justice at all.
Lawyers for Lawyers spoke to Adil Meléndez in 2016 during the fact-finding mission the Caravana de Juristas.
News aboutAdil Jose Meléndez Marquez
25 June 2020 Lawyers for Lawyers nominates Adil Mélendez Marquez for the Václav Havel Human Right Prize 20206 February 2020 Joint letter on threats against Adil Meléndez
16 March 2019 Joint letter on behalf of Adil Melendez