Javier Giraldo Moreno, Colombian human rights defender, dies

Colombian Jesuit priest Javier Giraldo Moreno has passed away in Bogotá at the age of 82. A prominent human rights defender, Giraldo dedicated his life to documenting and denouncing violence, massacres, and human rights violations committed by paramilitary groups, guerrillas, and the military during Colombia's decades-long conflict.

Giraldo was the founder of the Inter-congregational Commission for Justice and Peace and served as the director of the Center for Investigation and Popular Education (CINEP). He was a key figure in the San José de Apartadó Peace Community, where he worked to promote non-violence and social justice. His academic and intellectual contributions included roles within the Permanent People's Tribunal for Latin America.

Known for his commitment to the victims of violence, Giraldo also played a significant role in the search for the remains of revolutionary priest Camilo Torres Restrepo. He requested a simple funeral, expressing a desire to die in silence without elaborate biographies or homilies.