UN human rights office ‘deeply alarmed’ over police violence in Colombia
A police officer throws a stun grenade at protesters during a national strike against tax reform in Cali, Colombia, May 3, 2021.
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The violent crackdown on anti-government protests in the Colombian city of Cali has prompted concern over the excessive use of force that resulted in at least 19 deaths, with hundreds of others injured, over the last six days. According to accounts on the streets, police have allegedly shot protesters at point-blank range and used other violent tactics.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights released a statement on Tuesday saying it was “deeply alarmed” over violence against demonstrators.
“We are deeply alarmed at developments in Cali overnight, where police opened fire on demonstrators, and a number of people were killed and injured,” a UN human rights spokesperson said.
Protesters took to the streets nationwide after the government proposed a tax overhaul aimed at plugging the country’s debt that started during the pandemic. The tax plan has since been withdrawn by President Iván Duque, but large demonstrations have continued.
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