Several cities in Colombia continue in demonstrations against the policies of President Ivan Duque
Bogota, May 10 (RHC)-- Several cities in Colombia continue in demonstrations against the policies of President Ivan Duque, despite the constant repression by members of the Mobile Anti-Riot Squad (ESMAD) and the National Army.
In Cali, residents left their homes wearing white t-shirts, with flags in hand and advanced for a good stretch, before encountering members of the indigenous minga who blocked the way. The health professionals in Cali also marched demanding dignified salaries from the Colombian Executive.
After the demonstrations that have been taking place since April 20 against the projects proposed by President Iván Duque, several popular sectors remain in the main roads of Cajicá, Mosquera, Tocancipá and other municipalities near Bogotá (capital). The demonstrators opened a humanitarian crossing for the entry of ambulances and trucks with food and medicine.
Meanwhile, hundreds of Human Rights (HR) organizations from around the world issued a statement requesting an investigation into the repressive acts against the social protests that have paralyzed the South American country for 11 consecutive days.
The statement was signed by 650 organizations and condemns the excessive use of force by law enforcement officers and requests the Colombian State to put an end to this behavior of the uniformed officers who are responsible for the death of some 40 demonstrators.
The organizations ask for respect for the work of the women human rights defenders, who ensure that the days are carried out in peace, and also ask for an investigation of incidents in which ESMAD runs over women defenders.
The signatories recall in the text that in these 11 days of demonstrations, several Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), human rights defenders have documented and investigated hundreds of complaints of illegal repressive acts by the police and military.
The document is signed, among other organizations, by the Human Rights Committee of the Chile Awake Network, the World Organization Against Torture, Global Witness, and the International Federation for Human Rights.
