UN CONDEMNS ‘EXCESSIVE’ USE OF FORCE IN COLOMBIA STIRS

Geneva, May 4: The UN rights office condemned on Tuesday the “excessive use of force” by security officers in Colombia, after numerous deaths during days of protests against a proposed tax reform.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights voiced “profound shock” at the latest incident overnight in the city of Cali in which police are alleged to have “opened fire” on demonstrators, reportedly killing and injuring a number of people.

It called for calm on all sides ahead of a planned mass protest on Wednesday, and stressed that security forces should only use firearms as a last resort.

Spokeswoman Marta Hurtado told reporters in Geneva that the situation remained volatile.

“What we can say clearly is that we have received reports, and we have witnesses, (of) excessive use of force by security officers, shooting, live ammunition being used, beatings of demonstrators and as well detentions,” she said.

Protesters in Colombia called on Monday for a new mass rally after 19 people died and more than 800 were wounded in clashes during five days of demonstrations, according to official figures.

Separately, a European Union spokesman said the bloc also condemned “the death of the people killed during those protests, reports are saying that amounts to at least 19 victims, and one police officer.” —

● UN CALLS for calm on all sides ahead of a planned mass protest on Wednesday, and stressed on usage of firearms as a last resort.