{"id":186195,"date":"2021-05-31T16:58:23","date_gmt":"2021-05-31T16:58:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/radiofree.asia\/?guid=c212bd96ec924464ee63f86e0cccd01f"},"modified":"2021-05-31T16:58:23","modified_gmt":"2021-05-31T16:58:23","slug":"un-human-rights-head-urges-end-to-violence-after-troops-deployed-in-colombia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/2021\/05\/31\/un-human-rights-head-urges-end-to-violence-after-troops-deployed-in-colombia\/","title":{"rendered":"UN Human Rights Head Urges End to Violence After Troops Deployed in Colombia"},"content":{"rendered":"\"Soldiers<\/a>

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet <\/span>responded<\/a> to the Colombian president’s decision to deploy thousands of troops after a month of protests by calling for an end to all violence and urging negotiations over key national policies, which had stalled but were set to resume Sunday.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bachelet, in a statement Sunday, specifically expressed concern about reports that since Friday, at least 14 people have died and 98 people have been injured in the Colombian city of Cali \u2014 one of the primary protest sites over the past month \u2014 and that an off-duty judicial police officer and others have fired at demonstrators.<\/p>\n

“These events are all the more concerning given the progress that had been made to resolve, through dialogue, the social unrest that erupted a month ago, following the start of a nationwide strike against several social and economic policies of the government,” she said. “It is essential that all those who are reportedly involved in causing injury or death, including state officials, are subject to prompt, effective, independent, impartial, and transparent investigations and that those responsible are held accountable.”<\/p>\n

“I call for an end to all forms of violence, including vandalism, and for all sides to continue talking to each other, and to ensure respect for the life and dignity of all people,” she continued. “I welcome the commitment voiced by several actors, in Cali and at the national level, to find a negotiated and peaceful solution to the social unrest through talks.”<\/p>\n

Referencing reports that at least 30 people were arrested Friday, Bachelet added that “the fair trial and due process rights of those detained need to be ensured.”<\/p>\n

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.@UNHumanRights<\/a> chief @mbachelet<\/a> voiced her \u201cdeep concern\u201d at recent events in the Colombian city of Cali that include reports of several deaths and violence.<\/p>\n

She called for an end to all forms of violence, including vandalism: “dialogue is the only way”.https:\/\/t.co\/ksJq8aKFfJ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 UN News (@UN_News_Centre) May 30, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n