Following the events of the last week with a toll of over 30 dead, dozens of disappeared and hundreds of wounded, acts of violence and disproportionate use of force against protesters, the UN called on the government to avoid such a scenario.

The UN issued a statement calling on the country’s authorities to guarantee the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and protest, and insisted that any action by the public force must fully observe the protection and respect for human rights.

‘The Peace Agreement signed in 2016 offers elements to regulate these guarantees and strengthen citizen participation,’ the communique underlines.

It also highlights the importance of the protests being carried out in a peaceful manner and condemns any type of violent action, including sexual violence, acts against infrastructure and all those that violate human rights.

UN Colombia calls for speed in the investigation, prosecution and punishment processes.

The UN also called for guaranteeing free access to basic food supplies, medical and humanitarian aid for the population that requires assistance in the midst of the pandemic, and ensured that it will continue to support efforts in this direction.

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