Colombian security officials have been accused of using excessive force during anti-government protests across the country.
Colonel Ivan Duque’s president has announced plans to “improve” the country’s police force, including human rights training and supervisory oversight, as his government faces opposition to its use of force against dissidents.
Protests against the government it has been happening across Colombia since the end of April, when thousands poured into the streets against the idea of tax evasion which researchers said could be harmful among workers and workers.
Large-scale rallies continue, with protesters expanding their agenda to include health and education reforms, among other things – as violence escalates, especially in the city of Cali, a protest against.
The exact number of deaths linked to the protests has not been disputed, but human rights groups say more people have been killed by security forces. The attorney general’s office says 20 dead people are directly linked to the protests.
At a rally to commemorate police upgrades on Sunday, Duque said his government would ask Congress to approve the establishment of human rights police, which would call for international support, and a new training office for supervisors.
Duque said he had called for “a law that would improve the police service in the country, especially the strengthening of the… human rights law”.
“In this way security, prevention and respect for human rights will be realized because the international police will oversee human rights activities,” said the President, who added that human rights should be supported by all organizations “today than ever before.”
The bill, which will be introduced on the first day of the next general meeting in July, will also create a new grievance system and increase the standards for mentoring supervisors, supervised by independent centers.
The government is also implementing a law to establish legal mechanisms for the use of force and other controls for the use and sale of safe weapons, Duque said.
Without taking into account the police’s demand for a “change”, Duque promised a “change” for the police, who are accountable to the security ministry.
The announcement coincides with a visit to Colombia by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to investigate violence related to protests. Commission He said is planning to hold regular meetings with potential participants in the coming days.
Last week, United Nations chief of staff warned of recent violence at Cali, where more was left twelve people died late last month, and he said in a private investigation and accountable for the violence.
“It is imperative that all those who are allegedly involved in any form of harm or murder, including government officials, be investigated promptly, fairly, fairly, impartially and fairly and that those responsible will be held accountable,” said Michelle Bachelet, UN Commissioner for Human Rights. in his words.
Negotiations between the Duque government and the national umbrella committee stability last week, but is expected to resume Sunday afternoon. The committee is made up of organizations, academic organizations and other government agencies.
Demonstrators want Duque to crack down on police and take action to quell unrest in the country.
