Rights groups dismayed at lack of criticism for Peru abuses after weeks of violent protests
- Peru’s government under fire from rights groups over alleged repression of protests, disproportionate use of force
- President blames protesters for weeks of nationwide unrest in Peru that has left more than 50 dead
More than 50 people have died in ongoing street protests in the weeks since Peru’s elected leader was jailed, mostly demonstrators at the hands of police officers, but only a few international voices of concern have emerged.
The relative silence of much of the regional and global community has dismayed human rights advocates, who are calling for condemnation of the state violence unleashed since Pedro Castillo was impeached and imprisoned for trying to dissolve Congress.
Tuesday was another day of fury in Peru’s capital as thousands of protesters took to downtown Lima and were almost immediately met with volleys of tears gas amid clashes with security forces that often blocked their passage.
It was the largest anti-government protest since Thursday, when large groups of people, many from remote Andean regions, descended on the capital to demand Boluarte’s resignation, immediate elections and the dissolution of Congress.
Previously, most of the large anti-government protests were in remote regions of Peru, exposing deep divisions between residents of the capital and the long-neglected countryside.
Jennie Dador, executive secretary of Peru’s National Human Rights Coordinator, said the lack of international response makes it feel like “we’re alone”.