A/HRC/33/42/Add.2 Groups and Cultural Heritage, in addition to cases of assault, attempted homicide and violence against indigenous women. The recent murder of the Lenca leader, Ms. Berta Cáceres, who headed protests against hydroelectric projects in the Lenca region (see annex), drew the attention of the world to this problem. 21. It is a matter of enormous concern that many of the indigenous leaders that have been killed, such as Ms. Cáceres, had been granted protective measures by the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights, with a view to protecting their lives and ensuring their personal safety. The murders have occurred despite a law on the protection of human rights defenders 9 adopted in April 2015, which establishes mechanisms to provide an institutional response to requests for protection for human rights defenders, including early warning measures at times of particular danger. Moreover, given the strong presence of the army and the military police in the country, evidence received about collusion by the police and the armed forces with private or business interests, including organized crime groups in indigenous territories, is worrying. All this exacerbates the violence and impunity suffered by the indigenous peoples. 22. The people with the largest number of murdered leaders is the Tolupán, with about 100 murders over the past decades. Members of the Tolupán tribe of San Francisco de Locomapa have reported the persecution, criminalization and murder of persons who have opposed logging, mining or hydroelectric activities on their lands, to which they have held title since 1864. During a protest against mining activities, three leaders from Locomapa in Yoro were murdered in August 2013 by employees of a private company. Various Tolupán leaders from Locomapa had to flee their communities following threats. In December 2013, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights issued protective measures, which called on the State to protect the lives and ensure the personal safety of members of the tribe and their families. 23. Yet the threats and violence continue. Those responsible for the three killings in 2013 remain at liberty, despite the fact that warrants for their arrest were issued. In April and August 2015, two Tolupán leaders from Locomapa were murdered. In February 2016, a Tolupán leader from Locomapa and four peasant farmers were murdered, allegedly by professional killers hired by local economic interests. Those murders, too, remain unpunished. 24. Information was also received about the violence suffered by the Tolupán of the Candelaria tribe over a conflict with landowners. The Special Rapporteur heard a statement from a Tolupán woman whose children and other family members were murdered, abducted, threatened or assaulted in connection with this conflict, so that she was forced to leave her community in order to lodge a complaint. 25. Members of the Lenca people in Santa Elena in La Paz Department who oppose the Los Encinos hydroelectric project face violence, persecution, threats and murder at the hands of members of the security forces and persons connected with the project. In 2015, there were reports of a number of murders of Lenca in connection with this conflict and also attacks against women and children. In December 2015, a young Lenca man who was related to leaders opposed to the project was murdered. The previous month, the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights had issued protective measures under which it had ordered measures of protection for Lenca leaders opposed to the project and their families. 9 GE.16-12632 Act on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, Journalists, Media Professionals and Justice Officials, Decree No. 34-2015. 7