Peru declares state of emergency in Lima over protests that killed 42 people
Peru’s government late on January 14 declared a state of emergency in the capital Lima and three other regions due to protests against President Dina Boluarte that have claimed at least 42 lives in recent weeks, AFP reported. The measure, in force for 30 days, authorises the army to intervene to maintain order and suspends several constitutional rights such as freedom of movement and assembly, according to a decree published in the official gazette. In addition to the capital, the state of emergency covers the regions of Cusco and Puno and the port of Callao, adjacent to Lima.
More than 100 roadblocks blocked traffic across Peru on Saturday, mainly in the south, which has been the epicenter of the protests, and also around Lima.
Authorities have, however, reopened Cusco international airport, which is vital to Peru’s tourism sector.
Why is Peru protesting?
The mass anti-government demonstrations first broke out in early December, after then-president Pedro Castillo was ousted from office for attempting to dissolve Congress and rule by decree, seeking to prevent an impeachment vote against him.
He had also called for reorganising the South American nation’s judiciary while facing multiple corruption probes by the prosecutor’s office. On this day, the leftist political neophyte and former schoolteacher was due to face his third Impeachment vote by the Opposition-led Congress.
Mr. Castillo’s supporters have marched and barricaded streets around the South American country demanding new elections and the removal of current leader Boluarte.
President Boluarte ‘will not resign’
President Boluarte, who is from the same left-wing party as Castillo, has insisted she will not step down.
“Some voices that have come from the violent and radical factions are asking for my resignation, provoking the population into chaos, disorder and destruction,” Ms. Boluarte said in an address on state TV Friday night, according to AFP.
“I will not resign. My commitment is with Peru.”
Ms. Boluarte lamented that the protests have at times turned violent, as at least 42 people have been killed in clashes with security forces, including a police officer burned alive in a vehicle. Hundreds more have been injured.
“I cannot stop reiterating my regret for the deaths of Peruvians in these protests,” she said. “I apologize for this situation.”
But she rejected the possibility of calling a constitutional assembly as demanded by protestors, pointing to the difficulties Peru’s neighbor Chile has had in drafting and approving a new constitution.
Peru has faced political instability in recent years, with Ms. Boluarte, 60, the sixth person to hold the presidency in five years, AFP reported.
Mr. Castillo, who was being investigated in several fraud cases during his tenure, has been remanded in custody for 18 months, charged with rebellion.
Madhes Province CM Yadav to seek vote of confidence tomorrow
Madhes Province Chief Minister Saroj Kumar Yadav will seek a vote of confidence on Tuesday. Likewise, the election of the Speaker of Madhes Provincial Assembly will take place the same day. Secretary of the Provincial Assembly Secretariat Ranjit Kumar Yadav said that the programmes scheduled for today have been postponed for tomorrow following Sunday's plane crash in Pokhara and subsequent declaring of a national holiday to mourn the incident today. The provincial assembly will meet at 1 pm Tuesday. Chief Minister Yadav took the oath of office and secrecy on Friday. Meanwhile, Ram Chandra Mandal of CPN-UML and Jangi Lal Rai of the Nepali Congress have filed their nominations for the post of the Speaker.
Chinese envoy calls on PM Dahal
Newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song called on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Monday.
Earlier on Friday, the Chinese Ambassador had presented a letter of credence to President Bidya Devi Bhandari.
During the meeting held at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar this morning, the duo discussed implementation of BRI Project, development of Nepal’s infrastructure, Nepal-China relations and mutual interests among others, the Baluwatar source said.
On the occasion, Prime Minister Dahal said that Nepal has effectively implemented the agreements signed with China earlier.
He further said that Nepal is always committed to One-China policy.
The Ambassador said that China will always be with Nepal on the path of economic and infrastructure development and prosperity.
Meanwhile, he expressed his sadness over the Yeti Airlines plane crash in Pokhara on Sunday.
There were 68 passengers and four crew members on board the plane. Among the passengers, 53 were Nepalis, five Indian nationals, four Russians, two Koreans and one each from Ireland, Argentina, Australia and France, Yeti Airlines said in a press release.
Chen Song is known as the expert on Asian affairs.
He is the deputy director general at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Chinese Ambassador is considered to be an expert on Nepal affairs.
Dahal government faces global pressure to right war-era wrongs
With the formation of a new government under Pushpa Kamal Dahal, the international community has started showing concerns about conflict-era rights abuses. On Jan 12, Human Rights Watch, a rights body, came up with a statement urging the Dahal-led government to amend the transitional justice bill.
A new transitional justice bill, to address abuses committed during Nepal’s 1996-2006 civil war, was presented to the parliament in Aug 2022, HRW says, adding: The bill, despite significant flaws, had raised hope among the victims and their families, who have waited over 16 years for justice. The flaws include wording that makes it possible to grant amnesty for certain gross violations of human rights, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, the statement said.
In addition, verdicts from a new special court would not be subject to judicial appeal, in violation of international fair trial guarantees. The bill was neither amended nor brought to a vote before parliament was dissolved ahead of November elections, according to the statement.
Speaking with media persons on Jan 12, American Ambassador to Nepal Dean R Thompson said that the international community is keenly interested to see progress in transitional justice. “This is definitely something that I talk about with my colleagues in the international community. I hope we can see progress,” he had said: “Ruling parties in their Common Minimum Program have pledged to conclude the transitional justice process.”
Transitional justice mechanism—Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons—are without heads and other officer-bearers. The international community, however, has not cooperated with the commissions. The bottom-line of the international community is that there should be appointment in both commissions only after the amendment of laws in line with the Supreme Court verdict 2015, said former Chair of Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
