The UN urges the Government of Peru to cease human rights violations

Social chaos spreads through Peru. 41 provinces, mainly in the south of the country, are experiencing protests and blockades against President Dina Boluarte and in support of former President Pedro Castillo.

The demonstrations in Cuzco this Wednesday have left 22 injured, including six policemen. In addition, one protester has been killed, bringing the total number of deaths in the anti-government protests to 48.

According to the Ombudsman’s Office, 40 protesters lost their lives in direct clashes with law enforcement and another 7 died in traffic accidents related to roadblocks. To this figure we must also add the police officer who died burned during a demonstration in Puno.

The UN urges the cessation of human rights violations

This large number of deaths has alerted the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, who claims to be “deeply shocked”

According to his spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, Guterres calls for an end to human rights violations:

“The Secretary General is following the situation in Peru with concern and is deeply shocked by the number of deaths recorded in the context of the protests we have witnessed. He calls on the authorities to guarantee respect for human rights and to ensure that it is carried out conduct a diligent, independent, impartial and transparent investigation into allegations of excessive use of force and human rights violations”.

Puno celebrates a funeral procession for the victims

In the city of Juliaca, in the department of Puno, citizens held a funeral procession that ended in protest for the 18 fatalities in the riots on January 9, the deadliest day since political instability succumbed in December.

The demonstrators, in addition to demanding the resignation of Boluarte and the closure of Congress, demand the calling of general elections and a constituent assembly.

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