The UN Human Rights Office expressed its concern on Monday about the increase in violence in Peru and, in view of the possibility of further escalation of tension, appealed for «restraint» on all sides, with a specific message to the security forces to act with «caution» and «proportionality».
«There have been instances where the police appear to have resorted to unnecessary and disproportionate use of force and indiscriminate use of tear gas,» a spokeswoman for the UN High Commissioner, Marta Hurtado, said in a statement.
This office has called for «impartial, transparent and effective» investigations into the events of this weekend, within a wave of protests that has already resulted in the deaths of two people, 15 and 18 years old, and dozens of injured.
«The authorities must comply with their human rights obligations and allow the population to exercise their right to assembly and their freedom of opinion and expression», said Hurtado, who anticipates new tensions with the mobilizations and strikes called this week against the government of the new president, Dina Boluarte.
«We underline the importance of listening to the complaints and grievances of the population to resolve the current situation, in line with the obligation of the State to respect, protect and guarantee Human Rights», he added. The UN is «willing» to support the initiatives of the Peruvian authorities to calm the waters after the abrupt fall of Pedro Castillo.
The spokeswoman also called for respect for the work of the press, after several journalists were attacked by both demonstrators and police officers. The media, said Hurtado, must be able to carry out their «essential» work without «fear or intimidation».
