In Peru, human rights advocates say police forces have been emboldened in part by a new âPolice Protection Lawâ passed in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic that backs officers who shoot on duty.
Peruâs new interim president Francisco Sagasti, a centrist who replaced Merino, has vowed there will be âno impunityâ for violent officers, and removed 18 senior police chiefs from duty in the wake of the protests, citing the need to âstrengthenâ the police.
No police officer has been charged or named as a potential suspect for actions relating to the protests.
Reuters TV footage filmed at the height of the protests in Lima showed how police fired tear gas without verbal warnings, aiming canisters either at body-height or at the sky, raising the risk of injury.
Gas, marbles and lead pellets: Peru protest deaths turn spotlight on police violence reuters.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from reuters.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Gas, marbles and lead pellets: Peru protest deaths turn spotlight on police violence By Marcelo Rochabrun
FILE PHOTO: Demonstrators clash with police during protests that led to the resignation of Peru s interim President Manuel Merino, in Lima
LIMA (Reuters) – Ruben Guevara was marching in teargas-filled streets in Lima in November when he was hit in the face by what felt like a gas canister, severely damaging his right retina.
“We were protecting people who had already fallen to the ground and police kept moving forward and shooting straight at us,” said Guevara, 32, a father of two.
Guevara was one of millions of Peruvians who marched against interim President Manuel Merino last month. After just five days in power, and faced by intense protests in Lima that led to the deaths of two demonstrators and some 200 injuries, Merino resigned.
Human rights group denounces police in Peru of abuses after protesters deaths nbcnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nbcnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
FEATURE-Gas, marbles and lead pellets: Peru protest deaths turn spotlight on police violence Reuters 12/18/2020
By Marcelo Rochabrun
LIMA, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Ruben Guevara was marching in teargas-filled streets in Lima in November when he was hit in the face by what felt like a gas canister, severely damaging his right retina. We were protecting people who had already fallen to the ground and police kept moving forward and shooting straight at us, said Guevara, 32, a father of two.
Guevara was one of millions of Peruvians who marched against interim President Manuel Merino last month. After just five days in power, and faced by intense protests in Lima that led to the deaths of two demonstrators and some 200 injuries, Merino resigned.