The Office of the High Commissioner reminds Peru of its obligation to respect human rights

The protest demonstrations that began in Peru after the arrest of former president Pedro Castillo on December 7 They have become increasingly violent so the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights urged all parties involved to exercise restraint.

In a statement dated this Monday, the spokesperson for the Office, Marta Hurtado expressed concern about the possibility of further escalation of the situation, given the increase in violence. In addition to the mobilizations, strikes are planned for this week.

Hurtado indicated that on Sunday two people died -a 15-year-old boy and an 18-year-old man- in Apurímac, in the south of the country, during clashes between protesters and police. The new government has declared a state of emergency in the region.

“We call on the authorities to start impartial, transparent and effective investigations with a view to holding those responsible accountable,” he said.

He added that dozens of people, including at least four police officers, were injured during protests across the country.

For their part, the journalists who covered the demonstrations were attacked by both protesters and policewith a balance of several wounded.

Disproportionate use of force

There have also been cases in which the police have resorted to the unnecessary and disproportionate use of force and the indiscriminate use of tear gas.

The UN Office stressed that the authorities must fulfill their obligations on human rights and allow people to exercise their rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of opinion and expression.

In this scenario, he urged the police to guarantee that force will not be used unless strictly necessary and, in such a case, it must be done in full compliance with the principles of legality, precaution and proportionality.

Similarly, the authorities must ensure that media workers can perform their essential role without fear no intimidation.

Listen to the claims

The Office stressed the importance of listening to people’s concerns and claims in order to effectively manage the current situationalways adjusting to the obligation of the State to respect, protect and guarantee human rights.

The UN agency claimed to be ready to support these efforts if requested.

Context

The President of Peru, Pedro Castillo, was dismissed and detained last Wednesday in Lima after having reported that he would close Parliament and establish an emergency government based on decrees to restore the rule of law and democracy. Castillo was accused of plotting a coup to avoid impeachment on corruption charges.

Deposed Castillo, who was elected in July last year, his vice president, Dina Boluarte, took office, as provided for in the country’s Constitution. Boluarte, the first woman in the presidency, She is the sixth president of Peru as of July 2016.

Boluarte should have finished his term in 2026 -when Castillo’s term in power expired-, but in view of the protests against him, he has announced that He will advance the elections to 2024.