Police and members of the Mobile Anti-Riot Squad have used excessive violence to disperse protests, spread fear, and punish those who dared to call for a fairer society.
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Thousands of Colombians claimed their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, during months of demonstrations for justice and peace in 2021. Women, youth, Indigenous peoples, Afro-descendent communities and LGBTIQ+ people played a prominent role in the hope-inspiring protests, calling on the government to address gaping inequality, racism and lack of security.
Instead of listening to them, the previous government of President Ivan Duque responded with brutal repression. As they have countless times before and since, police and members of the Mobile Anti-Riot Squad (ESMAD) used excessive violence to disperse protests, spread fear, and punish those who dared to call for a fairer society.
Scores of people were killed or injured when they were fired at, including protesters who were blinded from shots aimed at their eyes. Others were subjected to arbitrary detention and torture. As women and LGBTIQ+ protesters fled police gunfire and tear gas, they were subjected to gender-based violence, assaults and rape. Indigenous people and Afro-Colombians were also a target of brutal police repression.
Learn More about Police Violence in Colombia
Colombia: The National Police must be comprehensively reformed
Cali: In the epicenter of repression: Human rights violations during the 2021 national strike
Colombia: Shoots on sight: Eye trauma in the context of the National Strike
Top image: A Colombian police officer in riot gear points a tear gas cannon at protesters © DANIEL MUNOZ/AFP via Getty Images.
