The toxic fallout of a grisly army scandal continues to spread in Colombia, as more soldiers are arrested over their alleged roles.

In recent days another three colonels have been arrested, bringing the total number of military personnel captured to at least 22.

The "false positives" scandal has revealed that the army murdered civilians, who were then dressed in rebel uniforms or given guns. They were then presented as guerrillas or paramilitaries killed in combat.

• Concerns over human rights prompts decision
• Colombia says move is 'severe blow' to military

Britain has quietly ended nearly a decade of military aid to Colombia's armed forces after accusations of gross violations of human rights, including the murder of civilians who were shot and reported as guerrillas killed in combat.

Today in Dublin Front Line was joined by parliamentarians from the main political parties, and both the Irish and European parliaments, to show their support for the courage and struggle for human rights of four outstanding human rights defenders. Danilo Rueda from Colombia, Yaena Solaemae from Thailand, Dr Yuri Melini from Guatemala and Samuel Mohochi from Kenya have been selected by the Front Line jury as the shortlisted nominees for the Front Line Award 2009.

When peace comes to Barrancabermeja, people in Colombia say, peace will come to Colombia.

No one understands the truth of this saying better than women's rights activist Yolanda Becerra Vega, national director of Popular Women's Organization, which helps women - especially the millions of internally displaced persons - resist the deadly effects of their nation's long-running civil war.

Video of 3 minutes from Human Rights First, caused by the recent judgment in Bucaramanga against Principe Gabriel Gonzalez from the Political Prisoners Solidarity Committee

www.youtube.com/watch

Human rights groups say Carmelo Agamez's case is an example of how Colombia's justice system is broken, and how unjustifiable arrests are used to intimidate dissidents.