5 -… Constitution of Colombia, the security forces are obliged to be present in any part of the nation’s territory to provide and ensure for all inhabitants protection and respect for their lives, honor, and property, whether individual or collective. The protection of the rights and integrity of indigenous communities depends largely on the security of their territories. Thus, in Colombia the security forces have been given instructions to observe the obligation of protecting indigenous peoples. Accordingly, the above provision of the American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples would be in breach of the principle of need and effectiveness of the security forces, preventing them from fulfilling their institutional mission, which renders it unacceptable to Colombia. ••• 53 • • •