sexual abuse of protesters is on the rise

The Colombian Ombudsman’s Office reported that 23 complaints of sexual abuse had already been lodged with the body under the protests anti-government programs that started on April 28. The report specifies that since the start of the marches, 106 cases of violence against women and LGBTI people, 23 of whom reported sexual abuse. Among the cases collected by the entity is that of a minor from Popayán who committed suicide after being mistreated by the police after being arrested.

Colombia today celebrates 26 days since the start of the street protests against the government of Iván Duque, which is advancing at a slow pace in negotiations with the National Unemployment Committee (CNP), a platform that brings together central labor unions , farmers’ organizations, indigenous peoples, students, feminists and the rest of civil society. The parties were on the verge of formally opening discussions on the demands of the organizers of the marches, after reaching an agreement in principle on guarantees for the demonstrations.

During a meeting that lasted 17 hours, the so-called protest guarantee table was activated, an instrument which will have among its powers to propose mechanisms for dialogue and mediation between the police authorities and the citizens, in order to guarantee the peaceful demonstration. . The so-called “National Evaluation Table for Guarantees of Public Demonstrations” was activated by Decree 3/2021 and establishes principles such as proportionality and the legitimate use of force and differentiation, which separates the one who stands. peaceful manifestation of the one who exercises violence.

The wave of protests initiated against government tax reform, although it was later withdrawn, then against the militarization of the streets and the fierce repression of protesters, has claimed more than 50 lives, according to organizations, and hundreds of people. wounded. In addition, more than a hundred women who have been assaulted by men.

106 complaints of violence against women

The Ombudsman’s Office reported that the 23 women who reported having been victims of violence are part of a group of 106 victims of violence in general.