Attention: UN and EU condemn the "disproportionate use" of force against protesters in Colombia

Sebastian Garcia Betancur 5/04/2021 12:15:00 p.m.
The organization assured that they are alarmed by the events of recent days.


The UN condemned the acts of violence that have occurred in recent days in Colombia and called for calm amid the demonstrations.

The organization also rejected the excessive use of force by the authorities to subdue the protesters.

"We are deeply alarmed by the events that occurred in the city of Cali in Colombia last night, when the Police opened fire on the protesters who were protesting against the tax reform, killing and injuring several people, according to the information received," he declared in Geneva. Marta Hurtado, spokesperson for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

"Our office in Colombia is working to verify the exact number of victims and establish the circumstances of these terrible incidents in Cali," Hurtado added.



The official also warned that human rights defenders are being harassed and threatened by the authorities.

In the UN Colombia Twitter account, the official stated that although there were no direct shots against the members of the commission of defenders, they did receive threats and attacks, so they hope that these complaints will be investigated and those responsible will be punished. .

Likewise, a call for calm was made to reduce the tensions that exist with the soldiers and police officers authorized to monitor the protest.

"We remind the State authorities of their responsibility to protect human rights, including the right to life and personal security, and to facilitate the exercise of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly," the spokeswoman added.



In addition, he recalled that the authorities in charge of enforcing the law must respect legality, proportionality and precaution as basic principles to monitor demonstrations.

Hurtado concluded that "firearms can only be used as a last resort in the face of an imminent threat of death or serious injury."

The European Union also condemned the events
For its part, the European Union also condemned the violence and the “disproportionate” use of force against the demonstrations in Colombia, and considered it imperative to contain the escalation of the situation.



"We monitor the situation closely, and condemn acts of violence," said spokesman Peter Stano, who added that "it is really a priority to contain the escalation of violence and avoid the disproportionate use of force" in Colombia, where the repression of Demonstrations against a tax reform have left at least 19 dead.

The spokesperson added that the situation generates strong concern and that, in particular, it is essential to analyze the acts of violence that affect the legitimate right to protest and peaceful assembly.

Similarly, the official assured that the European Union condemns the death of people who have died during the protests.

Spanish MEP Manu Pineda sent a letter to the head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, requesting the immediate dispatch of an observation mission to Colombia in the face of the explosion of police violence.



In the letter, the deputy affirmed that the police violence makes explicit the serious situation that Colombia is experiencing as a society, "whose government has not put a stop to the persecutions and murders of social leaders, as well as the signatories of the peace agreements." 2016 ″ he said.

The official said that the EU is monitoring the events although at the moment the need to send a mission is not considered.

"We trust the action of Colombian institutions to investigate and bring to justice those responsible for abuses, violations of human rights and freedoms," he added.
In total, 18 civilians and a police officer have died since the start of the protests that began on April 28, according to a balance by the Ombudsman's Office.

*With information from AFP
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