The EU calls on the Peruvian government to respect human rights
The European Union added its voice on Monday to calls for calm after nearly two weeks of protests sparked by the ousting of left-wing ex-president Pedro Castillo.
Supporters of former President Pedro Castillo block a highway entering Abancay, Peru, December 19, 2022.
AFP
The death toll rose from 20 to 21 after clashes on the sidelines of demonstrations in Chala, in the region of Arequipa (south), Peruvian authorities announced on Monday. The repression of the demonstrations also left 646 injured, including 290 police officers, according to the same source.
“The EU condemns any recourse to violence and excessive use of force,” said a statement from the European delegation to Peru, posted on Twitter. The organization says it is “very concerned about reports that (about twenty, editor’s note) civilians have been killed so far, some of them with firearms.”
Several clashes took place during demonstrations across the country, between police and protesters. Firearms and tear gas were widely used by the police. On Monday, marches were organized in Huancayo (center), Cusco, Apurímac and Arequipa (south), during which violence broke out between miners and uniformed agents.
The demonstrators demand the release of deposed President Pedro Castillo, the resignation of his successor, Dina Boluarte, who has already announced that she will not leave, the dissolution of Parliament and immediate general elections.
Prioritize dialogue
This movement of discontent erupted after Pedro Castillo tried to dissolve Parliament on December 7 and rule by decree. European diplomacy also called on Dina Boluarte to “guarantee political stability and address the crisis with respect for the constitutional order, the rule of law and human rights”. “All political actors and civil society” must favor dialogue to end the violence, finally argued the EU.
Peru reopened the airport of Arequipa, the second largest city in the country, on Monday, where hundreds of tourists had been stranded. On Tuesday, the terminals of Ayacucho (center-south) and Juliaca (south-east) will reopen their doors. That of the city of Cuzco has been operating since Friday.
On Sunday, Dina Boluarte announced that the wife of Pedro Castillo, as well as his children, had requested asylum in Mexico. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, President of Mexico, renewed his support and said he was ready to welcome them. But “we need to know the opinion of the family and of Pedro Castillo”.
Parliament is due to vote again this Tuesday on the plan to bring the elections forward from 2026 to 2023, which last week did not obtain the necessary votes, a measure nevertheless supported by 83% of citizens and likely to alleviate the crisis. .
AFP
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