Status: 01/25/2023 10:44 a.m
The unrest in Peru continues: In Lima, among other places, there have again been serious clashes between demonstrators and police officers. Human rights activists criticized that there were only few international reactions.
During protests in Peru after the impeachment and arrest of former President Pedro Castillo, serious clashes broke out again between demonstrators and police officers. “We regret that the number of injured continues to rise and that the protests are being carried out with violence,” said Alberto Huerta, Human Rights Ombudsman in the capital Lima, in a tweet on Tuesday evening.
Accordingly, more than 13 injured were taken to various hospitals and several people arrested. According to the Peruvian broadcaster “RPP Noticias”, more than 6,800 security forces were deployed in the center of Lima. The police used tear gas and opponents of the government threw stones.
Boluarte calls for a “truce”.
Peru’s President Dina Boluarte called on all groups involved in the unrest to sign a “truce”. In this way, dialogue tables could be set up and an agenda set and developed for each region.
According to a report by the Spanish-language broadcaster CNN en Espanol, Boluarte said the right to protest should not be accompanied by violence, destruction and death. She invited the Human Rights Commission to investigate the incidents.
Human rights activists: Few international reactions
More than 50 people have died in the South American country since the protests began in December. Human rights activists in Peru accused the world community of having largely forgotten their country. The silence of large parts of the states in the region and in the rest of the world leaves the impression “that we are alone”, criticized Jennie Dador, executive secretary of the Peruvian coordinator for human rights. “None of the states in the region have done anything concrete.”
The demonstrators, many from the poor south of the country, are demanding the resignation of interim President Dina Boluarte, the dissolution of Congress and the release of imprisoned ex-President Castillo. He wanted to forestall a no-confidence vote in December and dissolve Congress. Parliament then removed him from office. He was arrested on charges of an attempted coup and is in custody.