Lima, 20 Feb. The Peruvian government denied on Sunday that a “massive and systematic violation of human rights” had been unleashed in its country during the anti-government demonstrations which began last December and left 70 people dead.
An official statement “deeply regretted the loss of human life” in the protests, but noted that “it is categorical to affirm that in Peru there is no policy of massive and systematic violation of human rights. man or what they called “systemic racism” in the actions of various authorities.
The statement, issued by the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, makes direct reference to a preliminary report presented by Amnesty International (AI) and assures that the government “provides all the facilities for the development of the investigations” carried out by the prosecutor’s office. “in order to identify those responsible for the serious violations of the right to life, as well as to public and private property in recent months.
In this sense, she recalled that “it will be up to the competent authorities, after knowing the results of the investigations, to prosecute and sanction in accordance with the applicable regulations”.
The ministry also said that “alongside” the investigations, a multisectoral commission has agreed to provide “solidarity support” of 50,000 soles (approximately $13,150) for each deceased person, and 25,000 soles (approximately $6,500) for seriously injured, civilians and police, to whom there are still sequels.
According to various sources, 70 people died in the protests that began in December, including at least 48 in protests and direct clashes with security forces, 42 in the southern departments of Cuzco, Puno, Ayacucho, Apurímac and Arequipa.
Amnesty International assured this Thursday that during the demonstrations in Peru there had been “widespread attacks” against the population by the security forces and that the “serious human rights crisis” that the country is going through has been fueled by the racism and the criminalization of indigenous and peasant communities.
After denouncing the attacks on the press during the demonstrations, Amnesty International argued that “there are indications that the justice system could be used inappropriately to persecute and silence those who take part in the demonstrations”. EFE
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