Should social protests in Colombia be regularized?

The elected president of Colombia, Iván Duque, continues to form his cabinet of government. One of the names that appears in this list is that of Defense Minister Guillermo Botero, who just a few days ago to be appointed as portfolio holder has already sparked controversy.

Botero current president of the National Federation of Traders, Fenalco, said that he planned through a law "regulate social protest" in the country and according to him, that the demonstrations represent the "real interests" of all Colombians.

The question is not minor, since it concerns the regulation of Article 37 of the Political Constitution of Colombia. It states that "each party of the people may meet and demonstrate publicly and peacefully, only the law may expressly establish the cases in which the exercise of this right may be limited."

Botero based his proposal on a report by the National Federation of Merchants, in addition to figures from the Popular Research and Education Center, Cinep.

The study reveals that 640 demonstrations were reported in 2010. Number that almost doubled in 2016 where 1,019 events were recorded. The main reasons are non-compliance with social pacts, social demands, the demand for public policies and the demand for rights.

However, after the announcement of the future head of the defense portfolio, it was known that in the coming days President Juan Manuel Santos will launch the so-called "protocol of social protest".

It aims to regulate social protest to guarantee this right, to avoid the excessive use of force by the authorities and to avoid the stigmatization or the repression of this type of demonstration.

Editorial Focus on the News