United Nations expresses concern over violent situation in Cali

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, today expressed grave concern over the recent outbreak of violence in the Colombian city of Cali, from where her office has received reports that 14 people were killed and 98 injured – 54 by gunfire – in clashes that took place over the past two days in the context of citizen protests, in which the presence of armed civilians was detected.

A statement issued by the UN Human Rights Office, which Bachelet heads, notes that information has been received that these individuals – among whom would include a member of the judicial police who was officially off duty – opened fire on demonstrators, journalists on assignment, and even passers-by.

“The police officer was beaten to death by the mob,” said Bachelet, who added that in other parts of the city, other unidentified individuals fired on demonstrators in the presence of police officers.

“These events are very worrying after the progress that was being made to resolve the social revolt through dialogue,” said the high commissioner, who demanded that all those who caused deaths or injuries, which includes state officials, be investigated and punished according to their responsibility.

Bachelet called for a halt to all forms of violence, including acts of vandalism, to which she added that she trusts in the commitment made by several entities and personalities in Cali, as well as at the national level, to find a negotiated solution to this cycle of violence, which began a month ago with a general strike in rejection of various social and economic policies of the government.

At least 30 people have been detained in Cali since the 28th, and a process with all legal guarantees has been requested for them.