A recent report issued by the AFL-CIO  found that although the number of trade unionist deaths in Colombia decreased last year, the Colombian government still is doing far too little to protect union activists. After Colombia, the Philippines had the highest rate of murdered trade unionists, with 33 killed in 2007.  The report shows the combination of ongoing assassinations, death threats and violence against union members and their families creates a climate of fear for trade unionists that makes it impossible for them to fully and confidently exercise their freedom to form unions, bargain collectively, go on strike or criticize the government.