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July 8, 2021

Human Rights Commission Calls for Demilitarization of Colombia's Police
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The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights says Colombian authorities
used "excessive and disproportionate" force to quell massive
mobilizations against the right-wing government of President Iván Duque.
Since the protests began, over 80 people have died, many at the hands of
police and paramilitary forces. Commissioner Antonia Urrejola called on
Colombia Wednesday to make structural changes to its militarized police
force.

Antonia Urrejola: "The commission found that on repeated instances in
different regions of the country, that the state's response to protests
was characterized as an excessive and disproportionate use of force. In
many cases, the action included lethal force. The Inter-American
Commission received serious complaints on the indiscriminate use of
firearms against protesters, and from people who aren't participating in
the protests."



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