Investigating Peru’s senior officials for lethal attacks by security forces: An imperative step towards justice

Amnesty International Calls for Investigation into Lethal Force Used by Security Forces in Peru

Amnesty International has released a report calling for a thorough investigation into the use of lethal force by security forces against protesters in Peru. The report reveals that at least 49 people were killed during protests from December to February, and that the use of lethal force was widespread and systematic, targeting largely poor, Indigenous and campesino protesters.

Systematic and Deliberate State Response

The report, entitled “Lethal Racism: Extrajudicial Executions and Unlawful Use of Force by Peru’s Security Forces,” argues that the number of deaths on multiple dates and in different locations suggests a deliberate and coordinated state response. Moreover, the report highlights that the use of force displayed a racial and socioeconomic bias, with those killed primarily coming from historically marginalized populations.

Government Encouragement of Excessive Force

The report also criticizes the Peruvian government’s reluctance to condemn the excessive use of force, and instead encourages it by publicly praising the actions of the security forces and stigmatizing protestors as “terrorists”.

Calls for Accountability and Structural Change

Amnesty International has called for a prompt, thorough, and impartial investigation into the use of lethal force by security forces. The organization also demands accountability for those who ordered or tolerated the killings, even if it takes the investigation to the highest level. Additionally, the report calls for an urgent assessment of the structural racism that permeates the actions of state institutions.

Impunity Must Not Prevail

Peru’s Attorney General’s Office must take prompt and effective action to ensure justice for the victims of these grave human rights violations and crimes under international law. Without proper accountability for these acts, impunity will continue to be the norm, and the lives of those killed will have been lost in vain.

Conclusion

The use of lethal force against peaceful protestors is never acceptable, and the use of it in an extensive and systematic manner cannot be ignored. The Peruvian government must take responsibility for the actions of its security forces and ensure that they are held accountable for their actions. Additionally, the government must address the structural racism in its institutions that has led to such violence and discrimination against those who are already marginalized. Only then can Peru become a country that truly upholds human rights and the dignity of all its people.

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